At Home Reception (AHR) Do's and Don'ts

[nursemorgan]

I am looking for some opinions. I am planning on having a small relaxed intimate dinner after our reception in the islands, but then having our formal reception when we return home. Is it okay to wait to have our first dance until we return to our formal reception? (we weren't planning on dancing in the islands)

 

-Morgan

[nursemorgan]

This thread has been a life saver.. its hard to plan two parties at once (destination wedding and at home reception) but it can be done!

[chekirv]

I plan on having an AHR one week after my return. I will have a whirlwind wedding experience all within a two week period. I have been planning the AHR along with my DW. Alot of friends and family are not able to attend the DW, so this will be a big party for everyone (about 200 people). We're going for more of a party/celebration vibe instead of the whole formal sit down dinner. Mostly bar-high tables around the dance floor and a couple of round tables, instead of the 20 round tables for 10 people each for the whole seating plan.

 

My budget for the AHR is about $8K.

 

We plan on having a dessert bar (not a formal wedding cake).

 

We will play a video of the wedding before we arrive and after it finishes we will be introduced as husband and wife and walk in with my wedding dress and groom in his suit for our first dance. We plan on changing into more comfortable outfits after about an hour or so.

 

We will have buffet style food and passed hour d'oveures (sp?)

 

We will have pictures from the wedding on the tables.

 

The venue is an old movie theater turned art gallery, so there isn't need for many decorations.

 

A friend who is a professional photographer will take pics for us and we will have a dj as well.

 

Hope this helps. My AHR and DW is in April, so the time is ticking away!

 

 

[kdnolan]

Is three months to long to wait before a AHR??

[nettybon]

Thanks for sharing!

[JMK923]

@@kdnolan we are waiting a few months to have our AHR. We're getting married next week and plan to have it in the spring - either April or May. It's just going to be a casual party at our home with catered food, beer and wine. We may setup a big tent in our front yard, and hire a band. Need to figure out a budget still! I should probably get started soon lol 3 months isn't that far away!!

[RaynDrop]

I am looking for some opinions. I am planning on having a small relaxed intimate dinner after our reception in the islands, but then having our formal reception when we return home. Is it okay to wait to have our first dance until we return to our formal reception? (we weren't planning on dancing in the islands)

 

-Morgan

 

I plan on doing formal speeches (although I know people will give them at the DW) and our first dances at the AHR.

 

We have a very small DW and I have a grand idea for first dances.  I think it will be more fun/grand/meaningful to do with a larger audience.  I'm really excited about it.

 

Plus, we will be dancing after dinner at the DW but it will be at the disco and not at all private.

[megan224]

We are doing the AHR at place close to our house.  Buffet style food and we are wearing our wedding day attire!  If i can wear my dress again I'm happy!  We hired a dj and a photographer and got great deals as it may not be considered a typical reception.  Doing a dessert table instead of a cake.  

[iberostarbride]

Thanks for this thread

[Marystratton]

Thanks for the useful tips. We tried hard to make our celebration perfect at home but some flaws always remain there. So this time we going to hire event planner for my sister's wedding.