looking for advice for AHR - backyard BBQ

we got married in playa del carmen, mexico on may 15 and our AHR is coming up in a week and a half. we're planning a casual backyard BBQ, open house style.

 

our plans so far:

• open house style starting at 3pm and going into the night.
• we're borrowing a big grill and will find friends to do the cooking.
• renting tables,chairs, and linens.
• i'll go to the farmer's market that morning to see what pretty and inexpensive flowers i can find.
• dollar store for inexpensive vases for DIY centerpieces
• ipod for music

looking for fun ideas for inexpensive decorations, fun food ideas, entertainment, etc. right now, we're expecting aabout 70-80 people throughout the day.

 

thanks for any advice you can give!

If you have your pictures already, how about putting together a nice slide show, with music, for those who weren't able to join you on the wedding trip?

Lucy beat me to it, but we did a video of our relationship and had it running throughout the AHR. Everyone loved it and some of the old people actually watched it 2 times through! We included pics from the beginning of our relationship, e-pics, video from legal, video from mexico, some of the mexico pro pics, and some personal pics of all of the people who joined us in mexico.

 

I also used borrowed vases, filled them with water and submerged fake flowers (from the dollar tree) in them for the centerpieces. We did a BBQ as well if you want to see pics:

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...zed-ahr-54773/

thanks, ladies!

i forgot to mention the slide show. we'll have pics back from the photographer by then. during the daylight hours, we'll have wedding pics showing inside. we're thinking about taking the projector and the screen outside for the evening and playing the pictures outside at night.

I love that you are keeping it casual with the AHR. I would have some picnic comforts along with wedding items like slide shows etc. Maybe a bon-fire at night with smores or horseshoes.

 

Maybe some fruit Kabobs...yummy.

i love the fruit kabobs idea! easy to have prepared and take out throughout the afternoon and evening to keep a fresh supply! thanks!

This sounds exactly like what I'm doing.

Can I asked what you're using for wording on your AHR invites?

I'm kinda stuck on that one.

of course! i had postcards printed.

on the front, it says:
The pleasure of your company is requested at a reception to celebrate the wedding of....
then the time, date, and address.

on the back:
We are getting married in an intimate ceremony on the beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on May 15th. We look forward to celebrating with our family and friends after we return home!

then i just gave our wedding website, where more information can be found and guests can RSVP.

I think I'm just going to send evites and save on postage!!

a good idea, since people have a hard time RSVPing when it's not a simple click away. i had to send out email/facebook notes reminding people to RSVP.

so having an electronic invite with a direct RSVP link is a great idea. and yes, definitely cheaper (never a bad idea!).