Wedding Ceremony & Reception in Same Location
With just one call you can easily plan both your wedding and reception.
Let’s face it—many couples aren’t born event planners, nor do they work in the wedding industry for a living! So, when wedding planning gets a little daunting, know that you are absolutely not the only one who feels that way. Event planning is no simple feat, and in fact, it’s consistently ranked one of the most stressful jobs out there! This is the number one reason why many of our couples choose to host both their ceremony and reception at the same stunning venue.
There are so many benefits to hosting your ceremony and reception in one locale; here are a few of the top ones our couples shared after the big day!
Simple Planning
The biggest one here is it’s just so simple.
When you start to add in different locations on your wedding day, you add a lot of logistics you may not realize. For example, if you want to offer a refreshment bar for the ceremony so people stay cool under the summer sun, your caterer will have to travel to both sites, or you’ll have to set it up yourself. You’ll need to provide transportation to two locations versus one for both guests and the bridal party.
And most importantly, you’ll have to work with multiple vendors to pull together one big day, and that can get complicated quickly. Especially when you’re planning from afar like Rae & Ben had to do— check out their experience at The Grand Ballroom using the same space for both the ceremony and reception!
Another McHale’s bride, Meghan, shared with us, “The most challenging experience has been trying to plan a large wedding and meet all of the vendors at the same time as having to work a full-time job. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day!” So, it’s tricky even when you plan close by!
By working with the same venue, you’re immediately reducing the number of vendors you have to meet and can stop treating planning like your part-time job—our McHale’s team has your back! With a ceremony and reception in one spot, you set your date, check availability and plan your dream wedding all with one simple contact. Easy peasy!
Save Time & Money
Time and money go hand in hand, so we’re going to talk about them together. Like we mentioned above, you won’t have the need for extra expenses like additional transportation between multiple locales. Each addition to your big day comes with an additional price tag, and it’s no secret that weddings are already expensive!
Uber Convenient
Convenience is key to enjoying your wedding day, and when you have everything in one spot, it’s inherently convenient, right? Each of our exclusive venues has a private bridal room for you to keep all of your things—maybe even take some time for that WOW factor dress change before the reception?
In addition, it’s super simple for guests to park just one time, then you can gather all your bridal party in this one locale—and you can nix the busses, trolleys, etc. that add time and money, remember?
Plus, it’s very easy for you to sneak off to take romantic photos throughout the evening without missing a beat! Everyone wants those dreamy newlywed photos under the stars.
No Restrictions
Finally, your wedding day is a celebration of you and your soon-to-be spouse. You want to plan your day without the restrictions that may come with a religious or off-site ceremony venue. You’re free to select the music you want, the dress you want and the ceremony décor that sparks excitement for you. You can also choose the individual marrying you much more easily. We have a few favorite officiants we’d be happy to recommend. All the decisions are yours, and our venues are all flexible to ensure your dream visions come to life!
Suggested Timeline for Your One Location Wedding Day*
Wondering what your big day might look like as you start to take these benefits into consideration? Here’s a suggested evening wedding timeline we provide to our couples at The Grand*, but this can be used for any ceremony and reception hosted in the same location! Notice the lack of travel time and easy logistics.
5:30pm/6:00pm
Bridal party arrives and is accompanied to the Bridal Suite.
6:30pm
Guests begin arriving for the ceremony and are shown to seats in the Grand Ballroom by ushers.
7:00pm
Wedding Ceremony begins in the Grand Ballroom.
7:25pm
The ceremony ends, guests move upstairs to the Balcony for cocktail hour; the bridal party take pictures and the room flip begins as the Grand Ballroom is transformed for dinner and dancing.
8:30pm
Grand introduction of the wedding party into the Ballroom.
8:45pm/9pm
Dinner service begins.
9:45pm/10:00pm
Toasts, cake cutting, dances.
11:15pm (Optional)
Last dance or a “wedding farewell” as the bride and groom enter a car in front of the Grand and are whisked away on their honeymoon.
11:30pm
Event concludes..
*Please note that McHale’s wedding package is a standard 5-hour event; any additional time needed for a ceremony would be at an additional cost.
RECAP: Benefits of Ceremony and Reception in Same Location
- Set your date with just one phone call — no juggling of schedules to see what dates are open.
- Guests and Bridal Party only need to travel to one location — a great option if concerned about the weather.
- No need for extra expenses such as additional flowers or limo services.
- Easy one time parking for guests and bridal party.
- Your choice of officiant (we can also provide several recommendations).
- No restrictions on your choice of music, dress, or ceremony.
- Keep all of your items (change of dress, makeup, shoes, etc.) in your private bridal room throughout the day.
- Plus, all of your guests can enjoy the reception while you are taking photos.
Ready to Plan Your Ceremony & Reception at One Great McHale’s Venue?
Start exploring our McHale’s exclusive venues to discover which may be best for you and your fiancé. We can’t wait to work with you to craft the perfect wedding day. Let’s chat!