Any ideas for our at home mini-reception? a little long

Karen · April 7, 2007

So Jay and I are having a private weddingmoon in Tulum/ Cancun on 7/4/07. We are so excited and our family and friends have been so supportive and loving regarding this untraditional way for us to get hitched. This is my second time down the aisle and Jay's first. I had the big wedding the first time but that sort of thing isn't me any more and it's never been Jay's style. We decided that we our day just be about us. Jay and I have both been through a lot. Our families and friends know this and see how happy we make each other. I think that's why they have been so great and not given us much flack despite the fact they would love to see us get married. They are the best and mean the world to us.

So anyhow, We are going to celebrate when we return on our one month wedding-versary (8/4/07) by having a mini-reception at a wonderful Mexican restaurant for our immediate family and closest friends (25 people). We are booking it today actually!! The food is great and the theme of our wedding will be carried through with the Mexican food and decor. We plan to set up a tv/dvd player to play a slide show of our wedding pics and maybe the video too. I'd like to give the parents and Jay's grandma framed wedding pics of us.

The restaurant is in this quaint town Saratoga that is hopping at that time of year with some great bars and clubs, live street performers, etc. So I thought whoever is up for it can go bar hopping with us after.

What i would like advice on is:

Should we wear our wedding clothes or no? Every one might get a kick out of this but would it be weird to be in wedding regalia at a mexican restaurant (although very nice)? Our outfits are informal wedding ensembles. No ball gowns and tuxes.

Favors or no? Our parents and grandmother will be getting special gifts (photos). Maybe gifts instead of favors for everyone else? We wont have a lot of money but both of us are quite artistic. we both paint, do crafts, and Jay is an incredible photographer. so maybe we could make something but thats so time consuming. So I'm a little stuck about this

Do we need center pieces/ flowers? I'm thinking the decor of the place might be enough but i want a bridal feel without a gaudy over the top vibe.

Wedding cake? We are having a small cake in Mexico for just the 2 of us. Everyone might enjoy a cake cutting of a small cake though

I just really want everyone to feel happy and loved that day...and most of all I want to celebrate my husband and our new life. So please share some insights because there is very little info out there on stuff like this.

MikkiStreak · April 7, 2007

I think the cake idea is wonderful---- that's what we had planned on doing for an AHR.... just an "open house" type invitation for everyone to stop by during a specific time frame and we planned on having a layered cake to do a cake cutting with everyone present. I think it gives it more of the wedding/reception feel without being too stiff/formal or gaudy....

amyh · April 8, 2007

karen- here are my thoughts.

the wedding attire- honestly, I think this depends on what you are actually wearing. Since you are having a slideshow, I don't think you should, however may just wear white.

Favors- what if you bring back some crafts from tulum? Maybe from the local artisins (sp?) and attach a label or thank you tag. I remember last time I visited the area, there were lot's of affordable crafts when we stopped in the small towns. Maybe you should contact Sol Tamargo, she's located in that area and may give you some advise.

Centerpeices/flowers- I think you can do with out flowers. Or if you do, maybe incorperate some of the flowers that you are using in your bridal bouquet (from your actual ceremony). Also, since you both are into photograpy and crafts what about lining picture frames with pics from your wedding on the tables? Or maybe making Luminarias with pictures http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t1624

Cake- I think this is a great idea!

Hope it helps!

Nrvsbride · April 8, 2007

Karen I was going to throw in my 2 cents but Amy beat me to it. I 100% agree with everything she said. I don't think you should do flowers b/c the restaurant will already have festive decor and more flowers may just be overkill. I also don't think you should wear your wedding attire, however informal it may be. I would however buy a cute white dress that is inexpensive to wear. My friend recently had an engagement party and she wore a very cute white dress from BCBG that came a little below the knee. I think something like this would be perfect. And I agree with Amy that you should pick up some local crafts from Mexico and attach a cute note to it. I would go with Amy's advice.

-Glenda

Karen · April 8, 2007

Maria, Amy, and Glenda,

Thanks so much for the advice. The ideas are all wonderful and the advice echos what I was thinking and what Jay and I were discussing tonight. We just booked the mini reception tonight and I am just so excited. It is so wonderful to see everything coming together. The price is right, the food is wonderful, and the staff is so accomodating. They often have a guitarist stroll around the restaurant and serenade the guests. The manager is going to make sure he is booked for the night of our reception (for no extra cost- woo hoo). After looking at the place, i definiately agree that centerpieces would be overkill. Jay and I love the idea of displaying honeymoon/ wedding pics on the table instead. Amy, for some reason I couldn't link to the pics on the luminaria post you linked to this post. And I agree that the wedding dress is too much. There's a cute white summer "party" dress with oganza and a not too poofy crenolin (sp?) from Forever 21 that would be perfect and inexpensive. thanks again for all the advice!!!

amyh · April 8, 2007

Sorry Karen,

I uploaded the pics again http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...24-3#post14996

It's an old post, I'm not sure how the pics dissapeared.

Karen · April 9, 2007

Oh Amy that's ok. I got the general idea and it's such a cute idea. For some reason the pics still aren't coming up but thanks so much for trying again!

CourtneyV · April 9, 2007

Ok - I was about to respond, and then I read Amy's reply which is even better than what I was going to say!

I do think that you should enjoy your day - and go ahead and wear some wedding attire! I don't think it needs to be a full-on gown, but maybe a shorter dress. Like a cocktail dress. Something like one of these: