Reception Etiquette at a DW

tammy 2012 · March 29, 2011

FI and I are getting married in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on 5/12/12. We plan to have a small wedding in Jamaica, inviting around 20 people and expecting about 12-16 to come. After returning from our honeymoon, we will be hosting an AHR (inviting 140 people), which I hope/plan to be a relaxed backyard reception where guests can socialize, play volleyball and cornhole, and join us for a bonfire later in the night. I'm trying to figure out what to do for a reception in Jamaica. Even though our group is small, I still want it to feel like my wedding night and want people to be together for dinner and celebrate and dance after that. Is anyone NOT paying for a private reception at their wedding? I really don't want to pay $50-$75 per person for dinner when the food is included in the price of the resort. My thought was that we could all go to one of the restaurants and sit together for our "reception" dinner. Any suggestions/advice about this?

nairay · March 29, 2011

I think it's possible, though you may have to check with the resort - sometimes they can accomodate your whole group in a specialty restaurant if the group is small enough. Or, they can section off a part of the restaurant for your party. Sometimes the private receptions offer dinners at lower prices than what you quote (~$35-50, depending on the menu), if the other options are not available.

jszy10 · March 29, 2011

This is exactly what I am doing. At my resort, a reservation at any restaurant for up to 25 people is included in my free wedding package, so I would definitely check with your resorts WC! I chose a restaurant that has an outside terrace that is partially private, so it will still be semi-secluded. I definitely agree with you, with a group that small coming, and with paying for a full AHR upon return (which mine is), I can't see spending the extra money when it is already included.

JayKay · March 30, 2011

Check with your resort as each one is different. At the resort we chose to get married at we get a dinner included in a restraunt for our group. We aren't to concerned that its not private. I would inquire at your specific resort and see what they will do for you.

tammy 2012 · March 30, 2011

I guess I have a WC in Miami who works with me until I get to Jamaica, at which time I will have a different WC who will arrange my actual wedding. I think the WC in Miami is supposed to help me with the details about my stay at Sandals and different things I can add to my wedding. I called the WC in Miami a few weeks ago and spoke to her about this issue. She basically said she wouldn't recommend eating at a restaurant b/c they can't guarantee that I will be able to get a table for all of our guests to sit together. It frustrated me because I could sense that the WC wanted to sell, sell, sell. She tried to get me to buy all these extra things and said that doing the private dinner would be the ONLY way to have my group sit together. I know I can get around it somehow, I just don't think I have the support of the WC in Miami b/c I'm trying to save money and she's trying to MAKE money.

harkatea · April 6, 2011

We're not doing a private reception, we're just having dinner back at the hotel after the wedding. We'll probably have a private table on the beach, but costs for a reception at the wedding venue were crazy!