At Home Reception

[flygirl]

So, for those of you who are having an at home reception...how are you doing it? Do you have it the weekend directly following your dw? do you have a sit down dinner? do you wear your wedding dress? do the bridesmaids wear their dresses? do you do a first dance? do you do your father-daughter dance? I'm so lost...who knew making decisions could be this challenging!

[MelissaH]

We waited a few months to have our AHR - we wanted to have it outside because our house is pretty small and were expecting a lot of people so we had to wait for warmer weather.

 

We had a "Backyard Mexican Fiesta"

It was very casual, no dresses, no dancing. We just ate, drank, and had a good time!

[jmhein]

I dont think there's any rules when it comes to an AHR! Do whatever you like! We are having ours about 1.5 months after we get back. I wanted some time to plan and prepare the party once we got back! We are going a more traditional reception route, we're renting a hall and having a dance! I am going to wear my dress again and I would like my bm's to wear their dresses again if they want to! We aren't going to have a dinner because it's too pricey for our budget, but we are going to have a cold buffet, show a DVD of our wedding, and dance the night away!

[rodent]

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t13834

Check out this link for tips to finding your answer. There is a lot of great info on AHRs on the forum. Notice that the search tool isn't working, but you can use advanced search.

 

I'd suggest having it a little after the wedding to give yourself time to recover from the trip & prepare for the party. Also, that way you'd have time to get pictures developed to share at the AHR. Really anything goes for an AHR. Some people do a full blown reception in their gown, some do a back yard BBQ.

[FutureMrs.L]

My best friend and my sister both got married at Moon Palace and they both had formal receptions the month after. For us, we want to do a back yard lobster/clam bake. A welcome home the newleyweds party. His parents have a large backyard with an inground pool. So I envision, a later afternoon thing with candles in the pool, renting tents and tables and chairs, hiring a company that does the cooking, and getting a dj, and getting kegs and bottles of wine. I don't plan on wearing my dress or having the bridesmaid wearing their dress. What I think is a cute idea, is...Victoria secret has tanks and sweatshirts that say "Sexy Bride".....and getting tanks for the bridesmaids that say Bridesmaid and Matron of Honor. I think that for me casual and fun suites us best. It just seemed like so much work for my sister and friend to have the formal reception and they both stated they wished they did not do it because they were already married and wanted their lives to get back to normal.

[AnnaReeves1]

We are having our AHR 1 week after we get back, a little mad I know! The idea was that only 34 friends and family are joining us in Jamaica, and people like my grandad will not be able to make it. We wanted them to be able to share the celebration as much as possible, so decided on an early AHR. Having said that, we have just called it a 'party', not a formal reception, no speeches, sit down dinner etc ( although my dad likes the idea of showing a video of the wedding!) I am wearing my dress, for a couple of reasons, it cost me £700, and also, I would like pictures of me in my dress with those who were unable to make it to Jamaica

 

I guess it depends what you really want, formal, which may require more planning, or something easy going like us - DJ, Hall, Hog roast, no table plans, etc that ( hopefully!) can be done the week we get back

[ErinB]

We are waiting about a month to have our AHR. It is the summer of the wedding for us, 8 total from May 17 to Sept 6. and we are in half of them. That was the only time we could squeeze it in.

 

We're having a cocktail reception--a mix of casual and traditional. No specific dances, bouquet toss, garter, etc.

 

I do want to wear my dress again , but it is very simple.

[boscobel]

We are having our 2 months after our wedding at a Chinese/Japanese restaurant. It will function as a redgular wedding reception (photog, DJ, dances, cake, etc). Oh and I WILL be wearing my dress! But like somoene said above, I really think there are no rules, do what makes you happiest!

[Heidi]

Our AHR won't be until July 12th, and our wedding is on April 4th. We have a lot of people who want to be there who live out of the country, and a lot of people who can't get off from work./school until the summer. So July seems to work for a lot of people... it was requested by Reggie's family actually!

 

And I am going to wear my dress again. How many times do we have to wear a wedding dress!? 1 more than the 'traditional' bride. hehe! But the AHR will be more of a party than a wedding reception. Having it at a local VFW (I think!), and we'll do a lot of self-catering.

[jmhein]

Has anyone done their invitations for their AHR yet? That is one of the first things on my list and I'm stuck on how to word it!