Need Some Ideas!

Hi Jenny :0)
Your reception sounds like a lot of fun!
For the picnic area I would keep it casual..don`t try adding tulle and bows..it will not go with the whole feeling of your event. Instead why not try some cute fabrics on the tables? If you have time, sew up some bench pillows (think long thin pillow cases) in coordinating fabrics that tie on the benches..then go crazy with lots of greenery and inexpensive flowers down the talbles..perhaps in small groupings. Use eclectic containers (mason jars, watering cans etc.) Set up a punch table in the big glass jugs using punches that "Match your colors".

You can always go to Home Depot and buy some inexpesive plant to bank the corners of the picnic area.. Twinkle lights or lanterns hung from the wooden structure would be pretty too.

I like DJ (even in the afternoon!) it lends an air of fun to the festivities..if he`s good he`ll get everyone up dancing LOL!

Jenny,
I like your dj idea, a couple things though. You might want to talk to whoever runs the park about it. When I was looking into having my wedding at a park I remember coming across some places where I would need to get a permit or give some notification that I would be having amplified music if I had a dj, so you might want to find out if there is anything you have to do to get it approved first. Good luck, sounds like fun.

I wouldn`t decorate too much but if you do, look into a few decorating places that may have something to offer you. Inquire them to come out and see what they would do (do no hire them, just get the ideas from them). For that initial consultation, it may cost you $100 but save you $1000`s because you can take their ideas and add to it or take away from it to make it your own. The park has a beauty of it`s own and you don`t want to take away from that beauty. You wouldn`t believe how many people will dance even at a block party. A neighbor had a block party style reception for her daughter and we had a great time. We are also on a cul de sac but all the neighbors pitched in and we all had our grills out, decorated the lamp post at the edge of the driveways and it was really beautiful. The kids enjoyed themselves as well. You can make yours a very nice affair just from the ideas that you get from the decorator. Ask questions (What would you do here to mark off a dance area?, How would you make this area a little more intimate? What would you do for this table to be a cake table?) Then take her answers to your family and do it yourselves. If you feel you can, have a few family member there with you when the decorator tells you what they would do. You call can remember what she says. As for the DJ, see what the park allows with that. I think people will dance and they will enjoy a DJ but make sure you follow the requirements of the park. Have a GR8 & 1derful wedding day!!! Congrats 2 U both!!!!!

Thanks so much for all the advice!!! We really do think that it will be fun. Were not sure yet if were doing this but the park offers things like a dunk tank, tubing, water skiing,etc... We are far from fancy people and this would be something that I think everyone would enjoy. They even offer someone to entertain the kids, which there will be alot of, as long as there out of my hair lol. I thank you again for your ideas they are all great!