I am having a garden wedding. The town that I live in has a beautiful rose garden which has two levels (one where the roses are and the other is like a stone circle thing) I am going to have the chairs set up in the second and my hubby and I will be in the lower level. Once the ceremony is over is where it is going to get tricky. I am hoping to get pictures while everyone is going through to get their food (chinese buffet style). And while that is going on to have our ushers and groomsmen putting the chairs away but still accessible incase someone needs one. Sort of have an atmosphere where everyone has to mingle.

We had the same thoughts... elope to Vegas or family Wedding/Reception... We went with the wedding and reception at a local Public Country club. they have 1 smaller room for the ceremony and the bigger room for the actual reception. We will have just an aisle runner down the center of the small room with chairs lining either side, very simple. The nice thing about having 2 rooms, for us, is that the reception room will be kept closed until it a set time, so the room remains a beautiful surprise (hopefully).