At Home Reception??

[StarAndJay]

Hello everyone...We are having some seconds thoughts about an at home reception.

 

I feel we should have it..my finance on the other hand isn't really feeling it. He said if I want to have one then we will have one. Its just that I know there are a lot of people that will not be able to make our wedding, so I feel obligated to have a little something back home. We were thinking of something casual, like a backyard luau or something like that.

 

Just wanted to hear from you guys..who is actually doing this themselves and what the planning process is. We are getting married May 9, 2009, so we were thinking of having it in June or July.

 

Also, if we decide to have an AHR, what do we do for the bridal shower? I was thinking of having my sister put on the bridal shower invites, at home reception to follow... something along those lines.

 

Thank you!!

[BachataBride]

Both of our families are in Newfoundland, so we will be doing an AHR the end of July 2009. I want to do this for my grandparents mostly who will not be able to make it to our wedding - plus there are a lot of others who I want to celebrate my wedding with. We plan on doing a VERY casual backyard pot luck party!! I was thinking of cutting off my wedding dress to tea length so I can wear it & take pictures with family & friends who couldn't make it to the wedding!

Although...my MOH has kind of thrown a wrench into that whole plan. She told me on Christmas day that she is pregnant!! WOOHOO!!! But...she's due around the end of August! I really want to be there when or shortly after she has the baby & I can't afford to do 2 trips back east! Now, FI and I are talking about going "home" for Christmas next year...that way the baby will definitely be there and we'll get to spend Christmas with our families which he hasn't done in 3 years & I haven't in 2 (well...my mom was here with us last year) It was a really lonely Christmas this year & I really like that idea...but I want a backyard AHR too!!

OMG...so sorry for the hijack!!

 

Back to you...

Have you sent out your invites yet?? If not you can add that an AHR will follow...details to be determined. That's what I did on mine. If you already have sent them, then send out a mass email or a quick & cheap notification of an AHR...vistaprint has some great options.

What does the bridal shower have to do with it?? Are you only inviting the ppl that you invited to your wedding?? Would you be inviting different ppl to your AHR than you invited to your wedding??

[chicklet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarAndJay Hello everyone...We are having some seconds thoughts about an at home reception. I feel we should have it..my finance on the other hand isn't really feeling it. He said if I want to have one then we will have one. Its just that I know there are a lot of people that will not be able to make our wedding, so I feel obligated to have a little something back home. We were thinking of something casual, like a backyard luau or something like that. Just wanted to hear from you guys..who is actually doing this themselves and what the planning process is. We are getting married May 9, 2009, so we were thinking of having it in June or July. Also, if we decide to have an AHR, what do we do for the bridal shower? I was thinking of having my sister put on the bridal shower invites, at home reception to follow... something along those lines. Thank you!!

I felt the same way you guys did so we decided not to do the AHR. Part of the reason we picked the destination wedding is because we really didn't want a big to do so we are keeping it that way.
I think it's your wedding and you should do what you want to do. Don't let others pressure you if its not something you want.

[YoursTruly]

I think the first question is do you really think its a must? And will budget allow this? You can aways have your grandparents over for dinner and a few select others for dinner and show the video, etc. Don't stress over what others think you should do--go with what complements you and FI.

[pearlygirl]

I think if you want an AHR, then have one!!!

 

We weren't sure at first, but we are having a Jamaican themed AHR at our house at the beginning of the summer. There are a lot of people that aren't able to come to the DW, and it is a nice way to celebrate with the people we wish were coming.

 

I figured that after the wedding, we'll send out a wedding announcement with a pic from the weding and an STD for a summer AHR. FH doesn't really like the idea because he thinks we're fishing for money gifts. I, on the other hand, would like to send announcements because most of our friends and family are not coming and I'd like to send them at least one picture and also be aware that we are having an AHR this summer so they can plan ahead. Money gifts are just a perk

 

Anyway, I think if you want an AHR, then have one. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. But I think it is a great way to celebrate your marriage with the people who won't be able to attend the DW.

[pearlygirl]

I forgot about your shower question.....

 

As far as a shower, I think you can do it like a traditional bride would. There are many threads in the General Wedding forum related to showers etc. Maybe they have ideas there.

 

As for me, I wasn't going to have one at all. But my FSIL (who was actually a good friend and hooked FH & I up) decided to plan a surprise shower/bachelorette party. Its this Friday, and I'm not supposed to know about it.....Ooops!

[Susanandmo]

I think that's completelly up to you and your fiancee. If your budget allows it and you guys are up to host a party, hey why not... but if it's gonna be a hassle and if you don't have it as part of your budget I would say no.

 

We live in Vegas, but most of our friends and family are in California, the East coast or Panama, so we aren't having a reception here in Vegas. We kinda wanted to have a reception in Cali on July 4th weekend (We are getting married in May Memorial day weekend), but we just don't have the money for it and neither his parent nor mine are helping with anything....

[Trice]

I felt the same way at first about having an AHR but then I asked myself who was it really for? So, we decided not to have one. Do what's important to you but don't feel pressured to please others.

[drbrainfreeze]

Yeah, no AHR for us either. We were going to have a wedding in the states (Vegas) and people were all pissy about it because they think Vegas is corny. So we changed it to Jamaica over a year ago and now, even after more than a year of knowing, people aren't coming for some excuse or another. My mom even offered people her miles and they declined. SO no AHR for us. We dont want to spend more money on something we don't feel is necessary (FI is completely against doing anything back here, I am willing to do a little open house) so that we can make others feel better.

 

Just do what you feel is right...whatever you choose do it for you guys and only you guys!!

 

Hey were date twins ;-)

[BakersGirl]

Our AHR is in the form of a big BBQ at a local park. We don't want anything stuffy or formal, so we are opting for the fun in the sun....like our wedding.