No formal reception... When to dance?

sunsetbride1 · 09-18-2008, 09:06 AM

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some advice... And I am not sure that this is on the right section but it seemed the most appropriate!

We are getting married at Dreams Punta Cana on the beach; given that the resort is all-inclusive and we have a tight budget; we cannot justify to ourselves paying for a formal reception. We are considering a 1hr cocktail time just for the bridal party and parents; but that's the extent. We will head to the 'disco' after dinner (which will be at the World Cafe buffet restaurant, they are reserving tables for us) and then party/dance the night away...

Here is where I am looking for ideas - FH and I really still want to have our first dance and parent dances.
Do you all think that its appropriate to do the dances directly after the ceremony? We will already have our IPod set up from the ceremony... we could just do it right on the beach and share these moments with our guests.

Thoughts or alternate suggestions?
Thanks ladies!!!!!!!!!

JUSTUSTWO · 09-18-2008, 09:12 AM

Dancing on the beach immediately following the ceremony is perfectly fine! There are many BDW brides who had ceremonies on the beach who have done this so you shouldn't think of it as inappropriate!

I'm sure that if you take a look at some wedding reviews, you'll even find a few threads where someone talked about having their 1st dance on the beach.
Remember, its your day, your wedding, so you can do as you please!

BachataBride · 09-18-2008, 09:15 AM

That is exactly what I was thinking of doing!
I'm not sure if it will work because the gazebo is on the clifftop & is apparently very windy most times - and we might not be able to hear the music!! But I'll see.
I know a friend of mine did a DW as well..and they had their first dance to the trio immediately after the ceremony.
But that is what is so great about doing a DW...it is ultimately your decision!! You can do whatever YOU want!!
Yay to that!!

NJ_bride · 09-18-2008, 09:21 AM

Hi Sunsetbride1!
I see you are from Madison,NJ. I am from Clinton, NJ and my FH works in Madison. I am struggling with the same issues as you. We are having a 2 hour cocktail party following the ceremony we plan on having our 1st dance, parent dances, toasts, and cake cutting then. This will be our only private time with our guests as our dinner will be at the resort's beach party. When I tell people this they seam confused. I think weddings are just so routine up here that anything different scares people. The way I see it is I didn't want a "traditional" wedding so we can do things in any order we want. I don't know about you but none of my 43 guests have ever been to a destination wedding. If you want to dance on the beach, why not?

sunsetbride1 · 09-18-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ_bride

Hi Sunsetbride1!
I see you are from Madison,NJ. I am from Clinton, NJ and my FH works in Madison. I am struggling with the same issues as you. We are having a 2 hour cocktail party following the ceremony we plan on having our 1st dance, parent dances, toasts, and cake cutting then. This will be our only private time with our guests as our dinner will be at the resort's beach party. When I tell people this they seam confused. I think weddings are just so routine up here that anything different scares people. The way I see it is I didn't want a "traditional" wedding so we can do things in any order we want. I don't know about you but none of my 43 guests have ever been to a destination wedding. If you want to dance on the beach, why not?

NJ Bride!! Glad I am not alone with people being confused over this whole thing!!! But, I think that I will go with the idea of incorporating it into my cocktail hour; but then I will have to invite all of our guests to the cocktail hour instead of just the wedding party... Hmmm! At our resort its only an extra $5 something USD for each person over 20ppl so I guess that's not too much of an added expense.

Thank you Justustwo!! You are right.. I am worrying too much about keeping this appropriate or tradional when our wedding will be anything but that!

BechataBride - Wow! Your first dance on a clifftop in a gazebo sounds magical.. who needs to be able to clearly hear the music?!? You will be making your own. Can't wait to see the pictures!

Archie510 · 09-18-2008, 04:46 PM

Do it!
It will be an amazing moment for the both of you!
Right after your ceremony and vow's your really going to be feeling it!
It will truly be special for you and your guests!