Is a Welcome Dinner expected?

[Ty Roane]

I am planning on doing a welcome dinner.  It would be my way to welcome our guest to our wedding and thank them personally for attending.  I would also like that time to be used for families to get to know each other.  We are going to give our OOT bags at this time also.  I won't be doing a rehearsal dinner, so this will take the place of it.

[Mimi127]

I think we will have a welcome dinner so we can hand out the oot bags and cocktails at one of the resort bars for those who want to join us.

[Peach]

Most of us are arriving on the same plane (with the exception of FI's parents, who are going a week earlier). And we are having an overnight stop over during the trip there, so we might do something together then. Instead of a welcome dinner, I think we will all meet at the lobby bar for welcome drinks after getting settled that night. At least, we can invite people and if they want to show up, they can! Very laid back that way.