Do during AHR vs DW reception?

adias.angel · 08-01-2008, 09:01 AM

Hi Ladies,
I need some advice what things did you do at your DW reception and what things did you do during your AHR? Did you cut a cake and have toasts in both places? Did you do a first dance in both place?

We are have a VERY small group at the DW then a huge group for AHR. Any advice would be great! Thanks, Carla

amdecker · 08-01-2008, 09:13 AM

Good questions, I am interested to see what other brides say. I am definitely doing cake and toast at the DW site. I hadn't really thought about it for the AHR but more than likely we will there too. My mom knows a woman who owns a bakery at home so I'm sure she will whip something up.

For my DW, it is going to end up being mostly friends and immediate family and then extended fam and friends at home. So I'm sort of in the same boat.

niels408 · 08-01-2008, 09:29 AM

I'd love to hear input as well, as i've gone back & forth on this issues as well..things like first dance, father-daughter dance, etc. or wait for all that back in Denver at reception.

Looking forward to everyones ideas!

Laura

carly · 08-01-2008, 10:16 AM

We got married in JA with about 25 guests, and we did the private reception there with all the normal stuff - toasts, dances, cake, etc. Then 2 months later, we had a 300 person AHR and we did it all again. The AHR functioned exactly as a traditional wedding reception would be.

Oh, but we didn't do a photog in JA and i really regreat that, since that is our actual wedding. But we did do one at the AHR, which i am really glad about. Just should've done them for both...

klhutsell · 08-01-2008, 10:25 AM

Those are questions I have been wondering about to! Thanks for posting them...And thanks for all the previous and future feedback! I look forward to hearing others ideas and what worked and what didn't!

~ HAPPY FRIDAY ~

Davematthews16 · 08-01-2008, 10:29 AM

We are going to do the garter, cake, first dances, toasts, at the reception in Mexico. At the AHR we will prbably have a fun cake with a wedding picture of us on it, but aren't doing the "traditional things over" We're just going to eat, drink, and have lots of music, and pictures. I Think it would be completely fine to re-do all the traditions, we just chose not to :)

lauren · 08-01-2008, 11:06 AM

i didn't have an ahr, but i'll tell you what i would have done if i did.

i would have had someone videotape the toasts and whatnot and played them for everyone. there's something about hearing speeches a 2nd time that makes them sound ingenuine. we prob would have had the 1st dances again, and cut the cake again. but for the most part, i'd consider it a big party where i'm wearing a beautiful party dress.

Jen5372 · 08-01-2008, 11:32 AM

We are having an AHr but...its just a picnic. We will play games, eat food and drink. very informal-just a picnic with friends! Its all we could afford. Some peopel are bringing food(side dishes) and we will have bocce and frisbee....I think Ill wear my bride tank and we also got dorky hats ( bride...groom). Im not sure if we will wear them.

I think i will get a cake-but just a store one-maybe with a wedding pic on it like they can do? I really havent decided. We get back from the DW on Aug 12th and the ahr is the 16th-so I have a few days to shop and order a cake! YIKES!

Shay2679 · 08-01-2008, 11:37 AM

We are having an intimate group of 10 in Mexico, and a pretty big AHR in Edmonton upon our return (the following weekend)! There will be about 150 people attending the AHR (185 will be invited)!

We are doing a cake cutting, private reception on the beach and a dance in Mexico! We have hired a photographer.

For the AHR, we are going all out too! We're having a head table, we're decorating (hotel ballroom), we're ordering a fancy cake, we'll be having a plated dinner and a dance as well! We're saving some costs by having a family member who owns DJ services to do the dance and sound system for us, and an Uncle will be our photographer. We're even having an MC to involve a member of the family who really wanted to come to Mexico, but couldn't afford to.

I'm excited that two whole days will be all about us!! AND I get to wear my beautiful dress...twice!!!

lauren · 08-01-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen5372

We are having an AHr but...its just a picnic. We will play games, eat food and drink. very informal-just a picnic with friends! Its all we could afford. Some peopel are bringing food(side dishes) and we will have bocce and frisbee....I think Ill wear my bride tank and we also got dorky hats ( bride...groom). Im not sure if we will wear them.

I think i will get a cake-but just a store one-maybe with a wedding pic on it like they can do? I really havent decided. We get back from the DW on Aug 12th and the ahr is the 16th-so I have a few days to shop and order a cake! YIKES!

jen, if you're a costco or sam's member, you can get good, inexpensive cakes there. you can also order now for the 16th, although you can do that at any bakery too.