A garage may not be the first place that comes to mind when wedding venues are in question, however, they’re a unique option for couples that want to skip on the hefty price tag that comes with a wedding venue.
One thing to keep in mind when opting for a garage reception is that your garage is not the most desirable part of your home and bringing it up to wedding standards will take a lot of dedication and more than just a little pocket change. Nonetheless it’s the perfect blend of homely, industrial and elegance.
Here are a few garage wedding reception ideas and tips to help you give new meaning to your garage.
Garage Wedding Reception Ideas
Check out these other budget-friendly wedding ideas for the perfect occasion without breaking your bank:
- Cheap Wedding Reception Ideas
- Creative & Cheap Wedding Reception Food Ideas
- Wedding Reception Buffet Menu Ideas on a Budget
1. Clean out your garage
Not to state the obvious, but if you’re going to turn your dusty garage into your wedding reception venue, you’ll have to go on a cleaning and decluttering spree to get the space up to hosting standards. Transfer your valuables into a storage unit for a few weeks to a month for safekeeping while you do the prep work for your big day.
2. Work on the floor space
There’s not much that is appealing about the flooring in a garage however that shouldn’t take away from your décor. If you don’t like the industrial and rustic look that comes with a bare garage floor, incorporate wedding aisle runners along the entryway and main pathway to add a hint of elegance to the space.
You can also build or rent a dance floor to have as a focal point at your reception party with table clusters on either side. This may be a small addition however, it will create the necessary room lift to dim the absence of fancy flooring. If you have the time and resources, you can attempt to give your garage a facelift, however, it’s a big project to undertake for one evening.
3. Make use of fabrics and drapery
Let’s admit it! A garage often has the appearance of being an after thought to the main house. Fortunately, a lot of these can be covered up by adding beautiful drapery along the walls and even parts of the ceiling if you must to create a magical space underneath.
Besides covering up the inconsistencies and bare walls, drapery also adds a softness to the ambience and is great for incorporating a certain color hue to your reception space.
4. Embrace the power of lighting
Incorporate multiple lighting sources into your décor while embracing both warm and brighter lights to bring to life your garage. Using twinkling fairy lights along the drapery lining your ceiling will create the illusion of looking into a starry night while floor lights and table lights with warmer hues will create a beautiful and ambient space throughout the night.
If you can, change the light in your garage and add in a more elegant lighting source that compliments your décor.
5. Embrace the garage’s main features
While the natural instinct is to cover up inconsistencies and the more rustic appearance of your garage, you can choose to embrace these features. This may include using décor pieces that are boho chic and wooden elements all over the space.
If you and your partner are a handy lot, you can even make these from scratch with scrap pieces from past projects you have lying around your garage. Some rustic DIY ideas include seating board, wooden signs for direction and palette seating arrangement for a more rustic experience.
If you intend to use drapery, execute it partially to allow bits of the ceiling to pop through and add an even more rustic ambience.
6. Have an outdoor lounge area
Even with a huge garage, it’s hard to fit many people in the space and leave ample room for a dedicated lounge area. Fortunately, a garage wedding reception is not tied to just the garage section of your home. You can set up an outdoor lounge area, preferably with outdoor furniture to create a space where guests can step out for a breath of fresh air, a quick smoke or a private chat away from the party.
While you don’t have to go all out for this section, a little ambient lighting, a table with a centerpiece and flower arrangements in a few spots can help tie the look to the interior décor.
If you are having a rustic theme, adding hay bales and old tree stumps for sitting will be a welcome addition to the lounge area. You can take it up a notch by adding a fireplace to keep your guests warm once it gets drafty and secure a place to circle around with a few friends once most guests have left for the night.
7. Host a cocktail party reception
If you’re working with a small space that can’t seem to take form regardless of how often you switch up your layout, just scrap the traditional reception and embrace a cocktail party reception. This reception style will allow you to fit smaller cocktail tables and bars stools, a bar for your guests, a dance floor, a DJ booth, and a food station with no problem.
It is also a lot cheaper because instead of serving a main course meal you can settle for just cocktails and appetizers and snacks. When hosting a cocktail party reception, let your guests know beforehand that you will not be serving food and keep the reception short.
8. Invest in an eye-catching grand entry walkway
Just because you’re settling for an unconventional wedding reception venue does not mean foregoing the usual wedding glamour. Try and invest in a beautiful entryway that serves as a great photo op moment and sets the mood for the beautiful evening ahead of you.
9. Seating arrangements
When picking a seating arrangement, consider the size of your garage, a larger garage may permit a few round tables scattered across the room, however, your standard garage may not.
If you have a small garage, arrange a few rectangle tables on either side of the garage to create a family banquet-style reception with the head table at the front. This seating allows everyone to fit into the space while having a great view of the couple.
10. Ensure peak ventilation
There’s nothing worse than being in a room full of people with little to no ventilation or temperature control. It can easily turn a great event into a nightmare. Ensure your garage is well ventilated with air conditioning and fans if you plan on having your wedding during the hotter months of the year. There’s no question that the garage door should remain open the entire evening for airflow.
11. Consider your food options
Food is a huge part of any celebration and should be one of the first things you consider, when working with a garage, plated dinners may not be an option as you may not have enough space to have the wait staff come and go.
Fortunately, you can still have a buffet by adding a serving space outside your garage. Better yet, you can embrace the banquet seating by having a family-style service where people pass food to each other like you would at your regular dinner table.
If you don’t want all the work that comes with bringing in a catering team that requires setup and cleanup, just opt for a food truck experience. It plays right into the rustic and industrial them, is affordable and offers great quality meals that everyone loves.
12. Display your priced vintage piece
If you happen to be the lucky owner of a vintage car, incorporate it into your décor by using it as a focal point of the reception. If your garage is smaller, just have it outside as part o the outdoor décor and decorate it with flowers, garlands and fairy lights.
13. Have a DIY Bar
Setting up a full bar indoors with a bartender may not work with a small garage however this does not mean you have to scrap drinks from your menu, you can set up a self-service bar with multiple drinks ranging from beers, to wines to the harder stuff. As this would require sourcing the drinks yourself, you can buy as many drinks as possible at a wholesaler and serve drinks all night.
For a bigger garage, a bar cart that can be passed around from table to table to allow each guest to get a pick of their favorite drinks would be a wonderful addition.
14. Upcycle Decor Elements
Your garage may be home to a lot of forgotten scraps however, you can give them new life on your wedding day by repurposing them or redesigning them to make a signage, planters from old tires and even vases. It’s a great way to be sustainable and adds a personal and familiar touch to your celebration.
15. Embrace greenery
Florals are synonymous with weddings however, greenery doesn’t get enough love. When curating your dream space, add greenery to accentuate the florals and in this case the natural and woody feel of your garage. You can incorporate these into the ceiling and areas left uncovered by your drapery.
Final Thoughts
A garage wedding reception is a unique way to host your guests, wrap up your day in style and allow both you and your partner’s creativity to take center stage at your ceremony. These unique garage wedding reception ideas will help you turn your unconventional idea into a million dollar one whether you want to embrace a rustic, modern or elegant wedding reception.
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
By giving you everything you need to make your dream wedding attainable, you can eliminate stress, get the ‘wedding glow,’ and focus on spending this rocking day with the person you adore. Discover their podcast for more information
