Casual AHR

[Massagegirl]

Our AHR is 4 weeks from when we get home. We're inviting everyone who couldnt make it to Mexico. We are keeping it very casual, buffet/full bar/dancing but no arranged seating. Our hope was just to have people do what they want (like an upscale cocktail hour). But my question is how do we still have our entrance/first dance....Any ideas how to make this all work??

[carolina24]

we want our AHR to be like an upscale get together but not anything like a wedding reception. no first dance or anything like that. we are having a slide show of the wedding but other than that just getting together with the friends we couldnt celebrate with in MX after dinner we are going out for drinks at a bar/lounge. however there are a lot of brides who go all out, first dance, cake cutting, even wearing the wedding dress! so it completely depends on what you feel comfortable with.

[cogswellgray]

well if wanna do the 1st dance and entrance I guess just make it a point to say on the invite that it starts at a certain time. That way, maybe 20-30 minutes after you can make ur entrance! I would make sure you have drinks and pictures keeping the guests busy till u make ur entrance tho.

[hoyt75]

We're having a super casual ahr at our favorite local brewery and have also invited everyone that couldn't make it to Mexico (apx 100+). It's not a fance place by any means, it's a brewery, but people will be wearing casual church attire, and we've asked a friend to smoke a couple briskets and fry a few turkeys for us. We have a family friend that's a song writer and we've asked him to play during our ahr. We're not doing an entrance b/c we'll already be there, but when he takes the stage, he'll announce our marriage/us and he wrote us a song that he'll play for our 1st (2nd 1st) dance.

 

Do what your comfortable with. Make it special and unique. It doesn't have to be what everybody is expecting. Look at us, we're having it in a brewery and eating fried turkey and bbq! Have fun with it, that's what it's all about.

[Leigh17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoyt75 We're having a super casual ahr at our favorite local brewery and have also invited everyone that couldn't make it to Mexico (apx 100+). It's not a fance place by any means, it's a brewery, but people will be wearing casual church attire, and we've asked a friend to smoke a couple briskets and fry a few turkeys for us. We have a family friend that's a song writer and we've asked him to play during our ahr. We're not doing an entrance b/c we'll already be there, but when he takes the stage, he'll announce our marriage/us and he wrote us a song that he'll play for our 1st (2nd 1st) dance. Do what your comfortable with. Make it special and unique. It doesn't have to be what everybody is expecting. Look at us, we're having it in a brewery and eating fried turkey and bbq! Have fun with it, that's what it's all about.

I love the brewery idea! I've just contacted a local brewery to see what their rates are. The great thing about the brewery is all the beer is included in the rental rate!

[dianep]

we are planning a super low-key AHR. we're just having people over for a BBQ in our backyard. we're doing an open-house style party starting in the afternoon and going until people are done. not wedding reception-like at all, but just a chance to get together with our friends and family to celebrate. we're only having a dozen guests in mexico, so it'll be great to see everyone and enjoy. we also plan to have a slide show going inside so people can get a feel for the experiences we'll have in mexico.

[kimberly333]

Great ideas!! I originally wanted a BBQ but my mom's expectations are more. Still trying to decide too.

[DiamondGirl]

Great ideas!! Keep them coming!!! I'm thinking about doing an AHR and am undecided about what to do.

[nikkimadril]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianep we are planning a super low-key AHR. we're just having people over for a BBQ in our backyard. we're doing an open-house style party starting in the afternoon and going until people are done. not wedding reception-like at all, but just a chance to get together with our friends and family to celebrate. we're only having a dozen guests in mexico, so it'll be great to see everyone and enjoy. we also plan to have a slide show going inside so people can get a feel for the experiences we'll have in mexico.

This is what we want to do as well, just a low-key BBQ in our backyard. I work for a restaurant so we may just get some food catered through them at a discount, have beer and sangria and maybe margaritas. We were thinking of setting up volleyball nets and/or croquet in the yard. We have a huge deck that should seat everyone as long as the party is somewhat staggered.

When did you send out invites for the AHR backyard BBQ? How did you do the wording to convey that it is an open-house party?

[FutureMrsYak]

We are doing our AHR 2 months after the wedding. We are doing it at an American Legion around here about 200 guests. We will have the DJ annouce the wedding party and us a half hour after the start time and we will do our first dance then.

 

My concern right now is how to word the invite...something about already getting married...I will send the invites a day or so after we get back from Mexico...