After the wedding then............

[Christinamaria22]

Ok so we decided to go for a non private dinner because the private dinner did not fit into the budget......... The wedding is at 3 pm and then probably reserving dinner between 6-7pm........ so what do we do from 3pm on? I mean obviously there will be picture taking and drinks but we are obviously not going with the traditional dancing and speeches thing but I do not want to leave my guests BORED........... Any suggestions??

[kevsgirl]

BOOZE IT UP!!!

 

We're having a similar situation, but a bit less time in between. Our wedding is at 3:30, then we're having a cocktail hour by the pool bar where we'll have munchies and drinks from 4-5pm and a mariachi band. 5-7pm is going to be the issue for us. We decided we're going to keep the modified open bar open from 4-10pm. So if people want to just hang by the pool, socialize and drink in the afternoon before dinner they can do that. Otherwise, they can wander back to their rooms, go for a swim, do whatever.

 

I'll be interested to hear what others say though!

[twotees1218]

I thought about that too but then let it go.....heck, they're all staying at an all inclusive - all inclusive drinks, snacks, beach, a room to go back to - much better than most weddings I've been to locally where there still tends to be a gap in between and we've ended up sitting up in some seedy pub trying to kill time until the reception. All former DW brides have told me to relax - everyone will have a terrific time and look after themselves. They'll all be in vacation mode anyways!!

[2bebridejamaica]

Honestly, since just getting back from my wedding... our wedding was scheduled for 3 but because of hurricane issues we didn't start till 4. Once that was done... I did pay for a small 30 min reception with just cold stuff... this turned more into an hr... they don't kick you out or stop.. well at least at Beaches.. soo 600pm rolls around.. some ran back up to their rooms to freshen up we opted for more pictures with the sunset.. and then we finally sat down for dinner at the open air buffet (they continued my decorations from the 30 min to our dinner) We didn't pay for our dinner .. just picked one of the regular resturaunts they had on site... they put us over in a corner and it worked out great.. alot of the diners were coming over to say congrats.. it was nice...

 

I worried horribly about timing too .. but once you get to the day .... nothing is about timing except when it's time to walk down that isle. After that it's party mode... have fun and enjoy...

[Sloan]

DRINK! Enjoy the resort! Have a nap until dinner. That's all we plan on doing. You're on "island time" anyway, so your 3pm wedding probably wont start until 4pm ...hehe.

[foxytv]

You shouldn't have any worries. Pick a bar to meet at and those who want to can meet and mingle there before the dinner - and those who don't can do their own thing. I'd wait til you get there to get a vibe for the bars ans which one will be the most fun and in good proximity to the dinner - and just let guests know after ther ceremony what the plan is. Then, they can decide for themselves. We had more time between the ceremony and reception than we had planned so we did this spur of the moment and it worked out fine.

[Christinamaria22]

thanks everyone!..... trying to figure everything out is getting stressful! I do not know what to do..... I do not want the guests not to have fun..... now i am thinking of dancing/speeches..... if i do the all inclusive dinner than where does that come in? Should i rent a place for cake and dancing? But I am not a dancer and neither is my hubby to be........ background music? WE have to have a first dance but or dont we? AHH! This destination wedding stuff is harder than I thought.....................

[BachataBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christinamaria22 thanks everyone!..... trying to figure everything out is getting stressful! I do not know what to do..... I do not want the guests not to have fun..... now i am thinking of dancing/speeches..... if i do the all inclusive dinner than where does that come in? Should i rent a place for cake and dancing? But I am not a dancer and neither is my hubby to be........ background music? WE have to have a first dance but or dont we? AHH! This destination wedding stuff is harder than I thought.....................

lol...I hear you! I am a huge planner, and not knowing the details is killing me. But I've kind of let myself go...I try to tell myself that everything will work out & no one will be bored!! Our wedding is at 3 as well, with a 6:30 dinner (which I actually can't officially pick until we get there!) There will not be that much time in between. I picked 3 b/c I am not really expecting it to start until 3:30 or 4...then it's 4:30...we are having our first dance at the base of the gazebo immediately after our ceremony & toast...so that brings us to at least 5...then only 1.5 hrs for pictures & back to the room to freshen up before dinner. After the dinner (no speeches...well expect for a little thank you from us) we will all just go to the disco to booze it up!!
Do not stress about it....if your guests do not want to join you for pics then they will entertain themselves at the bar!!

[Christinamaria22]

I am a planner too!!!!!! I know I keep telling myself everything will be fine but i hate the unexpected! We just started planning this any I am like OMG it is already 6months away................!

[Becksy]

3:00pm isn't bad... we're getting married at 11:00am!!! When I first found out that that was the only time available for the Judge I thought, what are we going to do until 6:30pm (our dinner)? I don't want my guests to get bord or think that we don't appreciate them because we didn't spend money to do an excursion during the day.

 

We looked into a boat cruise, but the cheapest we could find was $35 per person x 30 people... a little outside of our budget. I was really worried and upset. I then talked to some of our guests about the boat cruise (to find out what people thought and see if we should some how come up with the money) and they all said they would rather relax by the pool or ocean, some even told me that they are afraid of water and would not come if we booked a boat cruise.

 

So we have decided to take it easy and let the day unravel as it may... we are there to relax, may as well relax.

 

Since letting this go we have been very relaxed and relively stress free. We're getting married in a month and a half and we are both very happy, excited and getting anxious... no worry and no stress.

 

Enjoy your day!