At Home Reception... What to Do, What to Do...

[megansg]

Oh the AHR, we have barely started to tackle that. One of the big reasons for going away is to be able to have a small group as my FH (and me to a slightly lesser extent) does not like crowds and being the centre of attention all day. So, that makes a big, hall-type reception a no go (also $$ wise). So we were thinking about my parent's house for a lunch type thing. Anyone have any suggestions on that? Still want to keep it small, but who do you invite? Who do you not invite?

[hollisandsteph]

My FH is kinda shy and doesn't like to be center of attention either. That is why we settled on a DW too. I was ok with that although having attention on me has NEVER been a problem..lol I originally had no plan of having a AHR but my parents, who cannot attend the wedding, wanted us to do it. MY FH husband has vetoed a couple of the tradtions- no cake cutting is the big one. I would also like to do Unity Sand at that time too but not sure he is going to agree to that. We both have kids going into this marriage and we have a daughter together who is 2 so I thought this would be a good way to incoorporate the kids a little more (we have been together 8 years are alittle untraditional...lol). Either way, we just want to have a good time and give our family and friends a chance to celebrate with us.

[jmhein]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonia321 I think it would be nice to schedule in a couple of toasts maybe before the slide show/video? It will bring the crowd together. And they can share some funny or touching stories from your wedding day.

Thanks for the great suggestion Antonia!

[jmhein]

OK, here is what I have tentatively set out as an agenda for our AHR. Your feedback and thoughts are welcome!

 

7:00 PM - Guests begin arriving. Bar will be open at $3/drink! (WOO HOO!). Still contemplating also offering a glass of champagne to every guest as they arrive but I have to figure out costs. I will have a display table set up at the entrance with a guest book to sign and some photo albums with wedding photos that people can flip through.

7:00 to 8:00 PM - People arrive and mingle and drink! Slide show of wedding photos will be on rotation on a projection screen. Salsa and chips will be on tables for immediate snacking.

8:00 PM - Cold buffet is set out by the caterers, as well as chocolate fountain. Hubby and I will make a brief speech thanking everyone for coming, inviting them to enjoy the buffet, letting them know that at 8:30 we will show our wedding DVD and at 9 PM the dancing will begin.

8:30 PM - we announce the viewing of our wedding DVD - it plays, it's about 20 mins long. People can eat while watching.

9:00 PM - Music starts! Hubby doesnt want to do a first dance again (too shy) and we will be missing most of the guys from the original bridal party... SO I think we will invite all couples to dance the first dance along with us and then just get into dancing and fun...

 

How does that sound? I am still a little nervous. I just want it to be NON boring and really fun!

[jmhein]

[SheaS]

For our AHR, which is June, we rented a restored barn that is located in a beautiful park on a lake. We are doing an afternoon of yard games, a hog roast, and live music in the evening night. We decided to to a kind of luau theme.... I found a couple of large light up palm trees for the barn, and I have leis, cocktail parasols, etc.

I am still working on the decorations...

[hollisandsteph]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmhein OK, here is what I have tentatively set out as an agenda for our AHR. Your feedback and thoughts are welcome! 7:00 PM - Guests begin arriving. Bar will be open at $3/drink! (WOO HOO!). Still contemplating also offering a glass of champagne to every guest as they arrive but I have to figure out costs. I will have a display table set up at the entrance with a guest book to sign and some photo albums with wedding photos that people can flip through. 7:00 to 8:00 PM - People arrive and mingle and drink! Slide show of wedding photos will be on rotation on a projection screen. Salsa and chips will be on tables for immediate snacking. 8:00 PM - Cold buffet is set out by the caterers, as well as chocolate fountain. Hubby and I will make a brief speech thanking everyone for coming, inviting them to enjoy the buffet, letting them know that at 8:30 we will show our wedding DVD and at 9 PM the dancing will begin. 8:30 PM - we announce the viewing of our wedding DVD - it plays, it's about 20 mins long. People can eat while watching. 9:00 PM - Music starts! Hubby doesnt want to do a first dance again (too shy) and we will be missing most of the guys from the original bridal party... SO I think we will invite all couples to dance the first dance along with us and then just get into dancing and fun... How does that sound? I am still a little nervous. I just want it to be NON boring and really fun!

Have you thought about playing your music a little earlier? 2 hours between arrival and music is a long time. I am going to have my video playing continuously at alittle table off to the side so people can watch the video as they get the urge:-) Just a suggestion! I am sure your recepetion will turn out great no matter what!

[jmhein]

Thanks for the suggestion! I am now thinking of bumping everything up by half an hour. I think we'll play Bob Marley music as background music until dancing starts too!

[hollisandsteph]

That is a a great idea! Mind if I use it too?

[Betsy]

I love your chips/salsa idea on every table! DH's parents are throwing us a AHR in his hometown - 8 hours away from here So I am excited to go but I still want something here too! Trying to plan it all w/o spending tons of money. Good tips on this thread!