Still Figuring out the dinner party plans for micro wedding (20 guests)

Rent an event facility through the parks department. That is the cheapest venue option. Any type of restaurant will offer corporate catering. They don't care that it's for a wedding nor will they upcharge you for it. Any cuisine is fine as long as it appeals to a varied crowd: Chili's, Mexican, Chinese, burgers (can be made vegan), etc. The sky is the limit.

You could rent a hall (either a community center hall, or a space through a local park district, or a party room at a winery or restaurant, etc), and get a local restaurant to cater! Often, catering from a restaurant is way cheaper than a caterer through a banquet hall.

Most restaurants though will not have space for a dj. Even if you buy out the facility to use the whole space.

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Thanks that was something i was kinda considering. also with the time my wedding is 2pm to 4pm doing appetizers and something simple would probably be nice.

Hmmmm yeah for a small group look for an event hall or even a garden club as a few here give you the place for the day. For 20 people I would cater from a restaurant or do some party trays from your local grocery. A friend of mine was also on a budget and she basically did her ceremony in a park and then used the guest house at the villa she used to live in to host the reception and did party trays to feed about 100 guests and it ended up being $1000 so about $10/head. I would look at Italian, BBQ, Mexican or even pizza bar for the food. See if the venue will allow outside liquor without a bartender.

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Yeah our ceremony is at a beach. we want a reception with entertainment. We dont want italian food though. That pricing is great for 100 guests. Honestly people would think this is a breeze with such a small guest list but its more of a pain because finding a DECENT looking hall to accommodate a small group .

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Hmmmm I am not familiar with the NJ area as there are various places here in Tampa Bay. I would say google bed and breakfasts, garden clubs, anyone of your guests own a club house to rent???, event spaces or women's leagues, etc... You could maybe google wedding spaces. If you do not want italian how do you feel about party trays. I will say feeding 20 people is the easy part as that is a small group to save money on. Also, look up country clubs as they were cheap here and for lunch you could maybe get away with $20-$30 people and they cater but then you are looking at a service charge too but might be better.

If there is no park department facilities open, take a look at peerspace.com or Eventective.com

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Thanks i will look into that

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Eventective.com i've looked at and its extremely expensive peerspace i will try thanks

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. Most affordable way to go.

Same problem here to the exact, abour 20 people including vendors and I am having a hard time finding a reception spot that comidates such a small guest list. I eventually found a place that can include 2 night stay at the location. Good luck you'll find something

You really don’t need entertainment. Choose a fabulous restaurant and that is enough. We had a micro-wedding of 15 guests in the wine cave of a 5-star Napa resort. Guests only care about good food & drinks. We had a soloist for Happy Hour and background music for dinner. Maybe book a private room of a great restaurant or hotel????

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Sorry music is important to us (the bride and groom)

I have to say, a meal and entertainment is kind of a lot for a 2 hr mid afternoon reception with only 20 people. I wouldn’t expect people to be dancing at that time. And I get that you think a wedding without entertainment is “horrible” — but it’s only two hours. Have you not had a fun meal with loved ones that lasted 2 hours before?
There are tons of spaces on Peerspace that let you rent for $100-300/hr which is super affordable, and then you can just pick a favorite local restaurant to bring in catering from.

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To answer your question NO I have not sat with family and friends for 2 hours over dinner. My reception is 4 hours. When the reception comes to mind for most people that means "Party". Me being from a different culture My FH and I enjoy music. I am having guests flying in and traveling far for this, just serving them dinner and that's it to me is a let down and personally I WOULD want my guests to have fun as well as us.

I would love to have that first dance as husband and wife and CELEBRATE our union with our loved ones and friends.

View Quoted Comment What about a private room at a hotel? Your DJ would work well there. Maybe lunch, or dinner on a weekday night to save money? Or is there a venue (community centered or park)near the beach where you’re getting married?

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There isnt any venue located near the beach. Also my date is set already set not changing that. Saturday is the only day that would work for all of us. I'm still searching because in NJ your guest count would have to be at least 75 to be considered for 90% of the venues..

I've never been to a microwedding with live entertainment or a DJ before (or dancing for that matter). All of the ones I've been to were in private rooms in restaurants. I'm sure it's possible, but you'll have to get creative. Several PPs have mentioned good ideas

Jersey girl here too! (Jersey Girl will be our first dance!). I suggest looking at bars instead of sit -down restaurants. They will most likely have a good set up for a DJ and the food will be cheaper.