Opinions about reception

[MEE]

Hey everyone! I was wondering if I could get some opinions from you...

 

My fiance and I are exchanging vows in Aruba (we are actually getting married in the U.S. at the JOP like 3 months before).....which I hope people won't think is a ridiculous idea....

 

Anyway....due to short notice, we may only have immediate family in Aruba when we exchange our religious vows. So...

 

Has anyone in here only had about 6-8 guests at your DW?

If so, what did you do for the reception? We would really really like music and all of that, but don't know if that will be weird with only 6-8 guests, mostly parents/grandparents.

 

I would love any advice/opinions/past experiences!!!! Thanks!

[brittbrowne]

I don't have any experience with such a small destination wedding, but I do have some thoughts. (I'm planning for a wedding with 25 to 40 guests.) I think the main thing is to remember that the event is going to be very intimate regardless. If I were you I would play on that theme. Maybe do one table for the reception, so everyone can sit together. Also, maybe you can scale down the musical talent by hiring a single guitarist who serenades the guests or a pair of steal drummers. Essentially, one or two artists with a more intimate appeal and smaller sound. I just think you should try to enhance through your planning the intimacy that is inevitable in the experience. I think your event has the potential to be very special because the people that care most about you will be with to share it! Good luck planning!

[adias.angel]

In the same boat as you as we are hoping to only have 6-12 people at ours. We want to keep it close family only. Are you going to have a AHR when you get back?

 

How formal would you like to be for the reception? If you want something not formal I would say make it a fun outing to an eclectic restaurant. Maybe one that has live music so you can dance?

 

Hope that helps, Carla

[yamille]

I agree with Brittbrown that there are a few ways to make the intimate/smaller group reception still fun and a party. The one long table idea is wonderful as well as either a trio or guitarist or something like that as opposed to a DJ. Also you could program your ipod for certain music that you know would suit everyones taste. Maybe a section with billie holiday or whatever your grandparents are into and then a 70'd disco section for your parents... I guess I am thinking that may encourage evryone to have a little dance and reminisce about their own wedding day. Whenever Donna Summer comes on my mom always reminds me that when she firts met my dad that was the first concert they went to. Honestly, I would love to have a small wedding but I couldn't because my friends are a really integral part of our lives. Also, I am not sure that we are doing an AHR like most. So as of now it will probably be around40ppl. Good luck!

[MEE]

Thank everyone so much!!!!

 

Those are some really good ideas. I was thinking about the one or two reception tables and definitely doing a steel band instead of a DJ. I would only do DJ with 20 or more people.

 

Can anyone give me insight on the steel band? I've never been around one and have no clue what to expect. Can you slow dance to the music? Fast dance if you want? My fiance and I (and my dad) are pretty much the only ones that will be indulging in the alcohol...lol...so, we may be the only one's dancing. I just want it to be beautiful and special. I have gone back and forth with hoping I won't regret all my friends being there, but it was pretty short notice and most can't afford it.

 

I think we do have around 3 friends that are toying with the idea of coming. I am limited on where I can do everything b/c one of them is in a wheelchair.

 

Anyway...thanks for your help! Any insight on the steel band will be great!!!!!!

[Team Gracey]

Can I ask why y'all got married at the JOP 3 months in advance? Did you get to wear your wedding band after that? We were thinking of just doing it the week before.... Just food for thought for my future plans. Thanks!!

[DelightfulDani]

How far in advanced does the resort expect you to provide them with a copy of you US marriage certificate inorder have the symbolic ceremony?

 

Is that the reason you are getting married 3 months ahead of the destination wedding?

 

I am thinking about getting married in Aruba and debating about getting legally married in Aruba or US. If I got married in the US i woudl want to do it close to the symbolic ceremony

[jajajaja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DelightfulDani How far in advanced does the resort expect you to provide them with a copy of you US marriage certificate inorder have the symbolic ceremony? You don't have to provide a license for a symbolic ceremony. Unless the resort does things differently but I can't see any reason they would want to know your married since it's symbolic. Is that the reason you are getting married 3 months ahead of the destination wedding? Lots of brides on the forum have been married prior to the DW- myself included. We did it to save some money and to not hassle with translation of the license, etc. It was really easy and we didn't act like we were technically married until after our MX vows. We too were married about 3 months before.

As for your current situation regarding the # of guests and trying to have an intimate reception- our wedding wasn't that big either. We had about 20 people (including us) so it's a little bigger than yours, but not by much. We had everyone seated at one table with us at the head to face the table. I have pictures of the set up in my siggy.

I think you could definitely use an Ipod for music or hire some live music- like a steel band. You could even do a combo of the two- use a Ipod for dinner and then use a steel band for after dinner to spice things up. I'm sure whatever you plan will be fabulous. It's just so wonderful being in a beautiful place, completely in love. Your guests will enjoy witnessing two people completely in love.

[Yvette]

i don't think it would be weird to have music with a small group. i even thought about doing the iPod thing but i haven't really made up my mind about it. mainly because i could go either way.

 

i don't know what our final count will be yet, hopefully i will have that figured out soon, but our group is going to vary in age. we have a 1yr old-3yr-6yr-13yr-us & our parents coming. our "reception" is going to be dinner with the family & then bar hopping with the adults who can/feel like coming along. i am so excited!!

[vale]

We're only have 7 people (including us) in total. I'm not sure what we are doing yet but the ipod idea does sound good, also you could maybe have the trio to play for you, I don't think it would be weird at all. Its your wedding, if you want music, you have it.