Opt out of reception?

Morgan, you mentioned that your parents were divorced. Mine are not, but my FI's are. To say his mom and step-mom do not get along is an understatement. His graduation with both of them there was crazy, and that wasn't for a week! Had it not been for them, I would have said "why not have a reception, or at least a 'free' plan for everyone to hang out the entire evening?" I never would have given it a second thought. Now, however, I realize that that would be a very uncomfortable situation, especially since we have less than 20 guests. I think we may still go ahead and have a short dessert reception after dinner, but I fully expect at least one of them to skip out pretty quickly. What she decides to do at that point is up to her, and the rest of us can hang out and have fun without them. Oh, and we're not doing a wedding cake and we're bringing our own music, so it's still going to be a pretty cheap option.

I agree with the whole do what is best for you. I believe I would like to have a private reception but my FI insists it's ridiculous to pay at an all-inclusive. Which I see the point there. So, we'll see. In our wedding package it includes a private reception for 20 guests and I'm not sure how much each extra person is but right now we are at about 20 guests and I don't anticipate it getting too much higher. I'm sure it will all work out.

But, that being said...I don't think our guests will be upset if we don't. We would happily get married by ourselves and close friends but gave the opportunity for friends and family to join us. So, they are willingly spending the money because most of them just want a good excuse for a vacation too! We are having a reception back home also so they will have their formal private reception then. Mexico is for people wanting to see the actual wedding I guess and to have some fun in the sun with us. Most people are looking forward to being with friends and family for a week and having a good time. Not to sit at a dinner for us for one hour..we will probably be having meals together every day. My cousin says she's wearing her swimsuit to the wedding so she can get back to the beach..(ha jokingly)

So, my feeling is do what's right for you. If this was my only reception I would probably go all out. But I know not everyone that wants to celebrate will be able to afford Mexico so we are having something back home for all.

I also think I may have some kind of welcome party the night before (which also happens to be my fi's b-day) so I'll make it a surprise b-day party for him too.

At the Sunset Grande we had a cocktail reception after the wedding which included h'orderve's and this was included in our package we puchased and we then had dinner at the Ginger Lily after with everyone. I'm with your FI why should you pay for food which everyone has already paid for. It turned out great everyone had a great time.

I just read this entire thread - Morgan you are the sweetest ever!

Anyways - I wanted to have a reception but it is not going to happen - I am not going to go into details as many of you already know the story - so we are having a ceremony and then dinner and then we are going to have a dance under the stars and then either head to the disco or somewhere - as I understand it - not going to be a private thing but I really don't care - the more the merrier is my motto - as long as there is no rain I will be happy!!