At Home Receptions - with or without

We have just decided to not do both DW and AHR...so we are planning on only doing the AHR and saving a lot of money for other fun activities in Mexico. We only have close family coming to Mexico at a total of 18, so we think it would be beneficial to just do a reception when our 250 family and friends can join us.

This takes a load of my mind as well as budget by having the AHR only.

Having a BBQ is an awesome idea! I think I may share that idea with jared. I can see us having a BBQ once we get back with our friends. Good idea and it's not too expensive eiither. i likes.

we talked about a bbq too, before we left, so that we could see everyone that couldn't make it. I say "before" we left because when we get back from the wedding it will be winter, not really a good time for a bbq.

 

But I nixed the idea because A. we don't have the extra money for it, even though it wouldn't be that expensive, B. I don't want to plan anything else before the wedding. C. We had originally wanted to do this because we didn't think a lot of our friends would make it, but I think most of FI's friends are coming, and my of my friends, the girls are the only ones I really care about seeing, so my sister is doing a regular bridal shower for me and I will see all of the ladies there instead.

 

So unless my mom decides to plan & pay for something, we're not doing it.

Our AHR is going to be one huge party. We have a guest list of almost 200 people. Its mostly for our parents and their friends. I have a huge mexican family so this makes my father very happy. My FI parents are paying for it so we were like sure! I just confirmed the DJ which I got a huge discount on from my MOH. She is pretty much doing all the planning for it, since its her venue we are using. She loves her job, so it works out great. I figure at least I can wear my dress twice!

That sounds great Natalie. Wow 200 people would be one fun party and you get to wear your dress again - BONUS!!! I know it sound spretty bad but I kinda wish I had help from my parents on the wedding. I'm actually shocked they havent offerred to pay for anything, as they are fairly well off. I didn't expect it just thought maybe they would offer and now that I'm realizing how much $$$ its going to cost I'm wishing they would heheh

We are having a AHR in June. We are doing a Friday night thing which saves a lot of money. We have invited around 150 people. I want to show the slideshow by Juan and have some pictures on display.

Sarah

We're doing an AHR and it's driving me crazy. Waayyyy too much money to even find a place to host it, much less the catering, band, etc.

Yikes!

Melissa, I feel the same way. My parents aren't super well off, but they're not broke either. And I know how much money they gave my sister for her wedding, so even if they subtracted what they are paying for there travel to mexico, I should still be getting a couple thousand dollars from them, every bit helps! They haven't even mentioned it and it kind of makes me mad!! My dad owns his own business and his busy season is coming up soon, so right now he doesn't have anything to give me, but I'm hoping once the busy season is done he'll give me something, but my mom I know has money in the bank and it just hurts me that they haven't even offered and I know they paid for about half of my sisters LARGE wedding.

We are having a Buck and Doe before we leave, so that will cover the party aspect for people who can't go to the wedding.

 

Plus, our friends all trade off on a holiday party (1 friend does christmas, another new years canada day etc...) Ours is May 2-4 so we will be having a party anyway. So it won't be a big production. We will likely invite more than the usual number of people though, and maybe have a pig roast. mmmmm....

It is kinda bad of me to be having both. Who the heck do I think I am a freakin celebrity or what? But then I look at the other side of things and go well hey this is their only son and they both have money to spend so why not go with it. Besides my FI is a little brat and feels like his dad "owes him" since he was suppose to pay for his college education and didn't. Family drama, what's new!