16 replies to this topic

[meghanmbm]

I want to have a welcome party for everyone when they arrive, but I am confused as to when to have it. not everyone will be coming to Mexico the same day so when should we have it? I also dont know how to tell people about it or if we can afford it. We are staying at an AI resort so i was thinking cocktail party. How are you all planning this stuff!?!? Help please:)

[GracieBebe]

We requested that everyone arrive at the chateau by a certain day because we are going to be having a welcome dinner instead of a rehearsal dinner (b/c the welcome dinner was thrown into our package for free). Luckily, we have a WC who is doing all of the work so we don't have to worry about anything.

If you can find out when most of your guests are arriving, have one somewhere in the first few days you and most of your guests get to your location. I don't think something like that has be on the 1st day. You'll be on Caribbean time so everything will be laid back anyways. I don't think people will notice that it's not on the 1st day they happen to arrive. They'll understand you're having it so that you can accommodate your other guests as well. Don't stress the little stuff. Best of luck to you!

[Jennifer Davis]

We are hosting a catamaran snorkeling cruise with food and booze on Friday afternoon for everyone. Our wedding is Saturday.

[JUSTUSTWO]

If everyone will be there the day before your wedding why not have a welcome dinner that night. For instance my ceremony was on a Friday & although guests arrived on different days, they were all there by Thursday so I had my welcome dinner Thursday night.

If you're sending out a pre-wedding newsletter or something like that, just invite your guests to dinner by saying that you & FI would like to "Welcome them to Mexico" & you hope that they join you at your welcome dinner on the designated date & time.

Check with your WC as she should be able to set something up for you at a restaurant & be able to section off an area for you & your guests.

[August2010Bride]

We have having a Luau by the pool, with pizza and drinks... Still trying to come up with a proper name.

I think our hotel (not AI) hosts a cocktail hour so we will probably just stick around for that. I think a welcome dinner the night before is a great idea.

[Ana]

We are just going to ask everyone to meet us at one of the bars for cocktails and a dinner together....kind of boring

[MarieSam]

We are having a Welcome Fiesta/Dinner for our guests the night before the wedding at the villa compound we are renting. FI's parents are hosting/paying for the night's festivities and are planning to have some catered items while also preparing some of the food since our property has 5 full sized kitchens available, and we both have families that LOVE to cook. And we're playing up the atmosphere by making it be Mexican themed ~ mariachis, possibly some dancers, mexican food -- fajita and taco bar with arranchera, pollo, fish and shrimp, enchilidas, guacamole, salsa y chips, quesadillas, cochinta pibil (pig cooked in ground with the banana leaves and anchiote), salsas, tortillas, etc. Cooking most of the food and buying the alcohol will be a huge money saver!

I think it's safe to say that most of your guests will be at your destination the day before the big day ~ so I would try to do something then if possible. No matter what you decide, I'm sure your guests will have a blast and appreciate any type of meet and greet you set up

[sunsetbride1]

We asked everyone to arrive by the Monday before our wedding (which is on a Wednesday evening). We are staying at an AI; so I asked the WC at the AI to reserve us tables at one of the a' la carte restauarants that evening for a welcome dinner. It was no additional charge because honestly, we can't afford to do anything more and it will give everyone an opportunity to meet eachother.
We are notifying everyone of the details for it in our pre-wedding newsletter which we will send out about two months before the wedding.

[Andi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ana We are just going to ask everyone to meet us at one of the bars for cocktails and a dinner together....kind of boring

I don't think that is boring at all! Sound much easier to plan and arrange!


We are at an AI but are working with the event coordinator there to have a private buffet dinner set up next to the pool. I think the quote to have that set up was like $20 per person or something like that...then after dinner we will probably head inside to one of the bars and are also planning on going out to a club in downtown PV with any guest who is interested...

Meghan, are you staying at the Vallarta Palace? I can't remember if that is where you are at or not...that is where we are staying as well....if so I have some more info on the private dinner...PM me for more info if you are interested!

[bumbles]

Most of our guests are arriving on Saturday (wedding on Monday), so we all are meeting in the open-air lobby bar to mingle and give out OOT bags. Easy and budget-friendly! That night, our immediate families are going to have dinner together and hangout for the first time

If your resort has shows, you can make a reservation so everyone can sit together. I've also read that some brides were able to reserve a private space on their resort and hire servers to bring guests drinks.