check out our photo albums!

Reception Sites:

When planning your reception, the first thing you have to take into account is your budget.  Just because most of the brides in your ward went crazy decorating the cultural hall, and invited everyone in the ward, doesn't mean YOU have to.  If this is what you want,and can afford, then go for it. But we're here to give you other options as well.

These looks were provided by http://www.royalreceptionsutah.com/  Let THEM do all the work and it is surprisingly affordable.  A full canopy ceiling with lights is $500.The streamer ceiling was only $360. But renting linens and chair covers will run up the tab.

Let's face it most of us don't fall into the above category.  Reality check.  We need to sit down and decide how much we are willing to spend (without going into debt!).  Over 50% of our brides have managed to have their dream weddings for under $5,000!

You can disguise the basketball hoops for $125:

if you are working with a small budget, decide what you can cut. There are no rules. There doesn't have to be a meal, there doesn't have to be dancing.  You don't really even need a lot of flowers.  You can have it in the cultural hall or at your house.You don't even have to invite the whole ward.  Keep it simple.  Sometimes by limiting your guest list to family and friends, you really CAN have the reception of your dreams.

We love this look for backyard weddings

But if you borrow the chairs from the ward, your cost will go waaaay down.

You may have wanted to decorate the chair backs.  Here's a cute idea, just do the bride and groom:

 If you were thinking in the $5,000 range, you need to start thinking about what you will be willing to cut.  Here are a few ideas of ways to keep the cost down:

Have a Wedding Breakfast Reception:

You can have a sit-down breakfast at a nice hotel for 40 people including music (a three or four musician ensemble) for under $5,000.

A Picnic reception (Here is a 4th of July Wedding Picnic):

An Afternoon Reception:

Don't serve dinner.  Just have it be a cake and punch reception (or add light appetizers).  You could have 100 people and still keep the cost under $5,000.

Having your reception at a hotel will save on rentals.  No table, chairs, linens, flatware, dishes, glasses to rent -  the hotel provides them - and, you don't have to worry about the weather. But your cost per person is high. Do the math.

If you want to check out other options, here are a list of places we've personally checked out (but they may not be as affordable as other options - again, do the math).

Utah’s Specialized Wedding Reception Centers:

               Atrium Weddings,

                            9201 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah 801-571-9241

                 Atrium Weddings main reception area

                   Eldredge Manor at Eldredge Square,  ($1,895 - $4,795)

564 West 400 North, Bountiful, Utah  801-292-5501

Red Butte Gardens, Salt Lake City

300 South Wakara Way, SLC          

The Ivy Lane Reception Center,

DO check this out, they'll take care of everything from invitations, 
cake, flowers, ...for a very reasonable price. One of our favorites.
Compare prices to other venues. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

1029 E.  25th St., Ogden    801-399-4019   

other spectacular wedding venues;

·      Thanksgisving point , 3003 North Thanksgiving Way, Lehi

 They have 15 themed gardens on 55 acres

             They also have numerous indoor spaces for all sized groups,

             ncluding a gigantic dinosaur museum (the Museum of Ancient 

 Life) which has been used for really cool wedding receptions.

            They have a Show Barn and Farm Country for a western

             themed reception.

·        La Caille, 9565 Wasatch Blvd., Sandy

Indoor and outdoor reception venues and a place to hold your

Ring ceremony if required.  The food and ambiance is unparalled.

·        Log Haven, 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon, SLC  

·        Wheeler Farm, 6351 South 900 East, Murray

·        The Bungalow, 235 South 100 West, Pleasant Grove

(Even though they’ve been in business for 35 years, they still

treat every bride as if she is special)

 Some of our favorite San Diego wedding venues:

El Cortez   see online at:  www.elc.cc

The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park   www.niwa.org

Beach locations must be reserved a year in advance, so unless you get lucky and someone cancels, don't get your heart set on a beach reception. (Besides, there are lots of drawbacks to the beach - bad hair for your photographs being number one - wind and salt air does horrible things to hair. If you are wearing a long gown, the hem will be black and nasty in no time; and you may have an inordinate amount of looky loos hanging around, trying to crash your party)

We're looking for venues in Idaho and Nevada...any suggestions?  email us at:  Jeri10@aol.com