10 replies to this topic

[hls140]

Hi ladies, I just asked this over in one of the other sections and was directed here--would love to hear your opinions!

We're planning for our AHR now and its coming up in Feb. and well, my mom is driving me crazy with questions and details, and so I'm looking for some info on what others have done to either answer her questions or calm her down... can someone point me in the right direction, or....give me details on how yours was--like--

Did you wear your dress the entire time/at all, etc?
Did you have your wedding party dress a certain way, sit in a special place (like all together)
Did you do any of the first dances (again)
Did anyone make any toasts, or read any passages, etc.?
Did you have a DJ, photographer, anything else?


I was kind of thinking that it would just be a dinner for everyone with music and fun, but I'm finding out that my mom thinks it should be just as nice as our actual wedding....and she's really putting on the pressure. I'll appreciate any info and feedback that you can provide!!! Seriously, I'd love to hear the details from yours or what you are planning.

Thanks!

[jfwolfe72]

Hi - I'm pretty much doing the full blown reception as though it were my one and only. I'll be wearing my DW dress again and we'll be doing most of the traditional stuff. We're actually not going to be doing too much of the traditional stuff at the DW, though. A friend of mine will be taking the pictures at the AHR (she's working on becoming a professional photographer) and we hired a DJ, are doing the flowers, etc......We also didn't really want to do anything too fancy, but my parents (who are paying - that's the only reason they get this much say) insisted.....

[CarrieRN]

We are trying to keep our more casual but I do plan on wearing my dress again. Get my money's worth and plus, I love dressing up. But we are going to just have an ipod and are trying to have it somewhere casual/barnlike so it can take on a more picnic (in November) sort of feeling. We will probably stockpile booze throughout the year and will hire a bartender for the AHR. Haven't gotten as far as catering yet. Have to go look at a site tomorrow and hopefully it will be available.

[AmyInMI]

We are going more casual with our AHR. We actually decided on a pig roast at my parent's house. I just booked the hog-roast/caterer today!! I plan to wear my dress (as long as it is ok after the TTD session). We are going to have a DJ, although it is at my parent's house.

[hls140]

That sounds fun--I wish ours was going to be in the summer, because I love the thought of something outdoorsy and fun, but I didn't want to wait too long after our wedding to do it. I'm just struggling with the thought, I guess of it needing to be too much like a wedding--because we're 100% happy with our wedding in Mexico and I just want this to be like a party....but, my mom and I are having a difference of opinion here....surprise ; )

So, are you doing first dances, and announcements?
How about seating arrangements--anything special to keep the wedding party together?

Thanks for the help : )

[stei0419]

I was planning on a Jamaican themed bbq, but now my mom, sister and FI are pressing me to have a full on reception. We are doing it outside, so I was just going to wear a white beach dress, but if we have a big hotel type reception, then I'll wear my dress and do all the normal reception things-like have a head table and "first" dances. I was just hoping for more low-key for my own sanity!!

[junebride2b]

We are having a big party at a reception hall. No dances, no cake cutting just all you can eat and drink. We will have a video of the wedding but really just a celebration.

[jmhein]

I think for AHR's anything can go, really! If you want a more casual dinner type party, go for it! There are no rules, that's the beauty of it!!
hee hee, that being said, I am planning along the more traditional lines for ours, but it will still be casual and fun. We've booked a small hall, and we're doing just a cold buffet. I am thinking it will start around 7 PM, people will arrive and we will greet them with Champagne and/or Red Stripe beer. The whole thing will be themed Jamaican with beachy favours on the tables, tropical flowers and decorations. I will wear my dress because I want to! The bridesmaids can wear their dresses if they want to, I will ask them and see what they prefer. We rented DJ equipment and will have a friend run it, and the plan is to just dance and have fun. Oh yeah, we will show a DVD of the wedding and a wedding slideshow of photos at some point in the evening as well. Still going to work out all the "whens" and "hows".
But seriously, do whatever YOU want!!

[Leticia]

we are basically going to have a big party. we are renting a hall, having ipod music, have food passed around on trays and lots of drinks! I am totally wearing my dress again (because you totally can!) and my BM's want to wear theirs. the groom and groomsman are a different story, they don' want to dress up if they don't have to, but i will look fabulous!

but yeah, i am curious if we should still do traditional things like a receiving line, first dance, toasts, bouquet/garter toss??

[AmyFled]

I am having a late spring BBQ, very casual. I think my FH and I are going to do a late entrance of some sort with my dress on and his suit, just to show everybody, then we will change into more casual clothing so we are more comfortable at the BBQ. The wedding party will wear whatever they want. As long as everyone's comfortable I'll be happy, I think the fanciness really just depends on the style of your party.