Bon Voyage party vs. AHR

[big3n09]

While I do know the differences I'm just wondering your thoughts. We already had to cancel our engagement party and I that's all was going to do for those who can't make it to Jamaica. Now I guess I need to do one or the other. While our plans are presently on hold I am still thinking I want to be done with everything once I get back from Jamaica. What are your suggestions or your experience?

[jojo194]

I am planning on having a pre-wedding reception/bon voyage party because we wanted a less formal party/shower than the AHR. It seems a lot more people do AHR after their weddings, but we just wanted to celebrate before. I have read one posting on here from a girl (can't remember who it was) that said she wished she either hadn't done a (after DW) AHR or had done it before because after the DW was said and done she didn't want to worry about the AHR. I am curious as to what other's say as well as I have been wondering about this too.

 

My FI is set on having it before the wedding in hopes of it taking place of any kind of shower and getting people excited. I think it will be nice to not have to worry about it after the wedding. Good luck with any decisions you make!

[blumenthale]

I keep trying to plan an engagement party but can't seem to get it together. Maybe a bon voyage party is the ticket. An AHR seems like too much to do after you get back.

[Trinas79]

We've been thinking about this too. Our wedding is in November and I'm really not keen on having an AHR during the winter, I would ideally love a casual, backyard reception in the warm weather. The idea of a bon voyage reception/party is ok to me, but I really wanted to have pictures from the wedding and a slideshow to show at the party, for the people who aren't able to make it. That way they can see what went on a feel a little bit more like they were there. So, not quite sure what we are going to do but those are my thoughts!

[GracieBebe]

We had a pre-wedding celebration/send-off party about 3 wks before our wedding and we are so glad we did it beforehand. It was so much more work to coordinate the send-off party and plan the picnic and cook for 100 or so people than it was to do our actual wedding since our WC handled most of the details. And it's a relief to come back from our honeymoon and not have to worry or plan anything else. Now, the only thing I have to do is thankyou notes and organize photos amongst all our friends and family so they can share all their pics.

[big3n09]

Thansk for the input! Originally FI wanted to do a send off party, now not sure where he stands. My only thing is I didn't want to do several parties for various reasons. Now we 've cancelled our engagement party and the time frame for having one in my opinion is gone we still need to do something for those who can't make it to Jamaica. I like the idea of the send off party so that everyone can meet before Jamaica and get hyped up for the trip, but having an AHR would allow for the guest to see pics/slideshow. I am thinking about doing the IDOStream video package and if so I will be more likely to do the send off party or if our photog can put together a nice slideshow for me to put online then the send off party it will be. I think I want to be done and over with everything once we return. Happy planning to you all!!!

[brandynd]

We are doing an AHR so that we can share our experience in Mexico with those we love. Thee will be a video of our ceremony played for our guests, which we couldn't do if we had a huge bon voyage prior.

We are having a small bon voyage party as well, but that's mostly so our families can mingle and get to know each other before we leave.