Any other Canadian brides doing an AHR?

[*Krista*]

We are also doing an AHR, it originally was supposed to be a small backyard bbq with a few family and friends who couldn't make it to the DW, but now FMIL has turned it into a huge catered reception, which I am totally grateful for because FI and I dont have money to do that, however, we feel frustrated because if we knew that they were willing to contribute, we wouldn't have had to plan a DW. Our reason for doing a DW was to keep the budget low, so now we are paying for our DW, and they are paying for our AHR, but it's twice as much work and planning! YIKES! Well, I'm trying to look at the bright side, I get to wear my dress twice, have my hair done, and enjoy being the bride for the day! We are having the AHR about 5 weeks after we return from Mexico. We are planning to show a slideshow of video from the wedding, along with pic slideshow running in the background while guests are rolling in, visiting, getting seated, etc. Then dinner, followed by speeches, first dance, and then dancing. Full on reception!

[*New* Mrs. G]

DH, MIL & I had previously talked about an AHR in the summer. Now that my new niece has arrived, the idea has been put to the back burner. I think I'm okay with that for now.

[missbliss85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DawnBuckley Hi MissBliss.... just got married on April 12 in Dominican Republic and we are also planning our AHR here in Ottawa for June. Haven't planned too much yet. Hoping to have it here at home but we may end up having so many people, we may have to consider a hall.Where are you having yours in the end? Did you send invites out? We ended up with 40 people joining us in Punta Cana so we have had a big party there but now want to do something with everyone else. Not sure if we will have wedding favours but I would like to maybe to a cupcake tree or something. Are you having a sit down meal?

Hi Dawn,
We decided to plan a somewhat "formal" AHR in Ottawa over the July long weekend. We're going to have some hors d'oeuvres for when people arrive, then we'll show a slideshow of our photos, then a sit-down dinner, a first dance (since we only had 9 people at our wedding, we didn't bother doing it then) and then dancing for the rest of the night. I also believe that our parents each plan on giving a speech, but other than that the rest of the night isn't structured.

I did send out invitations, which I'm slowly starting to get back from everyone. I'm guessing that we will have around 80 people at the reception.

Where are you having your reception? We booked at the Centurion Banquet Centre.

[DawnBuckley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbliss85 Hi Dawn, We decided to plan a somewhat "formal" AHR in Ottawa over the July long weekend. We're going to have some hors d'oeuvres for when people arrive, then we'll show a slideshow of our photos, then a sit-down dinner, a first dance (since we only had 9 people at our wedding, we didn't bother doing it then) and then dancing for the rest of the night. I also believe that our parents each plan on giving a speech, but other than that the rest of the night isn't structured. I did send out invitations, which I'm slowly starting to get back from everyone. I'm guessing that we will have around 80 people at the reception. Where are you having your reception? We booked at the Centurion Banquet Centre.

Hi there! Sounds like yours is all planned and will be nice!
We tentatively chose June 19th for ours but now have to spread the word. We had 40 people at our wedding but there are a ton of people we invited from Montreal and here in Ottawa who said they will definately come so we could be looking at over 100 easily! That's why we are not too sure what to do. Doug wants to have it at our home here in Bourget. We have a big back yard and could rent a tent (which could be over $600) but what if it rains? He thinks everyone can just come inside. We do have a double garage which could hold a lot of people but the flow of the house is not that big for people hanging out in the kitchen area if you know what I mean. Also he wants to provide all the food which I am excited to do (lots of salads, ham cooked ahead of time, chicken on the bbq, etc.) but we only have one oven so what happens with hot hors doeuvres? LOTS to think about and Fast! I also have friends in bands which would be amazing if people could just get up and sing but for that I think we would need a hall.

The Centurion was a place we were considering too. Do you mind me asking how much it is? THere is also the River Rock Inn here in Rockland. Unfortunately, you have to use their caterer and bar. We have to weigh all the costs. And like I said... I better hurry up!

Which area of Ottawa are you in?
What did you do for your invitations? Did you make them yourself? Did they have a wedding shot of you guys on it? I was thinking of doing that. Then I may mail them out and have people email or phone with a reply.

Dawn

[FutureMrsRobart]

Hi there - fellow Canadian -bride here by way of Bermuda :-) We still have about a year left but I've started the initial planning and purchasing :-) Loving this forum.

[rosieposie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krista.baird We are also doing an AHR, it originally was supposed to be a small backyard bbq with a few family and friends who couldn't make it to the DW, but now FMIL has turned it into a huge catered reception, which I am totally grateful for because FI and I dont have money to do that, however, we feel frustrated because if we knew that they were willing to contribute, we wouldn't have had to plan a DW. Our reason for doing a DW was to keep the budget low, so now we are paying for our DW, and they are paying for our AHR, but it's twice as much work and planning! YIKES! Well, I'm trying to look at the bright side, I get to wear my dress twice, have my hair done, and enjoy being the bride for the day! We are having the AHR about 5 weeks after we return from Mexico. We are planning to show a slideshow of video from the wedding, along with pic slideshow running in the background while guests are rolling in, visiting, getting seated, etc. Then dinner, followed by speeches, first dance, and then dancing. Full on reception!

I know how you feel! Due to insisting and insisting of our parents we're kind of in the same situation. However, in Chinese culture, the Groom's side is supposed to pay for the wedding (or most of it), so we couldn't come to a modern-version agreement of who pays, so we said we would pay, but we wanted a DW.

Then my FMIL and FFIL caved, because they really really really want a celebration with friends and family (and they really really don't want to go to Mexico). At first we were ok because they said it would be small now its a full on reception with 250 guests.

I'm grateful that they have done this, because I'm sure 2 celebrations will be twice as nice but they are a week and a half apart....hopefully we can pull this all off.....

[*Krista*]

lol rosie posie!! I'm sure you will pull it off! Just try to stay calm and enjoy the process - at least that's what I keep telling myself, so maybe it will work for you too!

[missbliss85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DawnBuckley Hi there! Sounds like yours is all planned and will be nice! We tentatively chose June 19th for ours but now have to spread the word. We had 40 people at our wedding but there are a ton of people we invited from Montreal and here in Ottawa who said they will definately come so we could be looking at over 100 easily! That's why we are not too sure what to do. Doug wants to have it at our home here in Bourget. We have a big back yard and could rent a tent (which could be over $600) but what if it rains? He thinks everyone can just come inside. We do have a double garage which could hold a lot of people but the flow of the house is not that big for people hanging out in the kitchen area if you know what I mean. Also he wants to provide all the food which I am excited to do (lots of salads, ham cooked ahead of time, chicken on the bbq, etc.) but we only have one oven so what happens with hot hors doeuvres? LOTS to think about and Fast! I also have friends in bands which would be amazing if people could just get up and sing but for that I think we would need a hall. The Centurion was a place we were considering too. Do you mind me asking how much it is? THere is also the River Rock Inn here in Rockland. Unfortunately, you have to use their caterer and bar. We have to weigh all the costs. And like I said... I better hurry up! Which area of Ottawa are you in? What did you do for your invitations? Did you make them yourself? Did they have a wedding shot of you guys on it? I was thinking of doing that. Then I may mail them out and have people email or phone with a reply. Dawn

Hi Dawn,

I can't remember the exact amount for the Centurion, but I know that pricing depends on which room you book. We have the Adriatic room, which I put down a $1000 deposit for the date, and I think they required a minimum of $3200 on food and drinks for our booking (based on room size, etc.) You might want to take a look there, as they have about 5 different rooms, many of which can be combined into one larger room. I think the Centurion requires that you use their caterer and bar as well.

I'm from Old Ottawa South (area of Bank St. near Billings Bridge) - my parents live about a 5 minute walk from the canal.

For our invitations, since I sent these out before we left for our wedding, I bought a simple DIY kit from Staples and printed out the invites and RSVP cards on my computer. To make them look a bit nicer, I printed a photo of DH and I onto vellum paper and attached the vellum on top of the invite. Everybody's been complementing them, and kept asking me where I had them made!

Right now I'm stuck waiting for people to reply by May 15th (I purposely made the RSVP date early so that I would have time to chase down the late responders).

Leah

[rosieposie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krista.baird lol rosie posie!! I'm sure you will pull it off! Just try to stay calm and enjoy the process - at least that's what I keep telling myself, so maybe it will work for you too!

thanks! calm is definately the key and enjoying the whole experience.
congrats to you - big day(s) coming soon!!

[DawnBuckley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbliss85 Hi Dawn, I can't remember the exact amount for the Centurion, but I know that pricing depends on which room you book. We have the Adriatic room, which I put down a $1000 deposit for the date, and I think they required a minimum of $3200 on food and drinks for our booking (based on room size, etc.) You might want to take a look there, as they have about 5 different rooms, many of which can be combined into one larger room. I think the Centurion requires that you use their caterer and bar as well. I'm from Old Ottawa South (area of Bank St. near Billings Bridge) - my parents live about a 5 minute walk from the canal. For our invitations, since I sent these out before we left for our wedding, I bought a simple DIY kit from Staples and printed out the invites and RSVP cards on my computer. To make them look a bit nicer, I printed a photo of DH and I onto vellum paper and attached the vellum on top of the invite. Everybody's been complementing them, and kept asking me where I had them made! Right now I'm stuck waiting for people to reply by May 15th (I purposely made the RSVP date early so that I would have time to chase down the late responders). Leah

Thanks for all the great info. Leah!
Well this weekend, we decided... we are doing it ourselves... yikes! Hubby is set on having the AHR right here at the house. We will turn it into a BBQ party. Need to find out this week how much for the rental of table, chairs, etc. and hopefully a tent. I heard that they are soooo expensive, but its a little classier with a tent!

I will do an evite... not so exciting I know, but we plan it for June 19th which is SOON!! This way, we will know pretty quickly who opened the invite and whether or not they will be attending. Good thing I like party planning. Lets just hope no mosquitos or RAIN comes our way...positive thoughts... sunshine and no bugs!!

Isn't party planning fun