Casual AHR/Fiesta?

[LeeLee]

Hi!  I am lost...we are planning a Wedding Fiesta to celebrate our Mexico nuptiuals but I am having trouble...we want a semi-casual backyard fiesta (tent, tables, cocktail tables, bonfire, slideshow, etc.) where guests show up around 5pm, dinner starts at 6ish (taco bar with all the fixings, dessert bar, margaritas, beer, wine, soda, etc).  Sounds all buttoned up, right?  But my problem is I don't want all guest rushing the buffet and 6PM when its ready--I want it to be a casual, a more open house feel, but I don't want to say "open house" b/c people tend to think it's optional then...I am requsting RSVP's, to have a solid head count for food, but how do I make sure guest understand it's not a formal/seated meal.  We are not going to have seating for all 200 guest...so I want it more of a mix and mingle.  I plan to have a lot of high-top/cocktail tables so guests can use those too, but how to I make sure it is properly communicated?  Through our website or tell our closests family/friends the vision and they can eat later and spread the word?  Or?  Help!

 

I have the invite wording figured out:

 

Stephanie & Keith tied the knot on February 1, 2011 in Los Cabos

 

Celebrate in Minnesota the vows shared in Mexico

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Eat, Drink, and Be Married~5:00pm

 

Join us at the ABC123 home

All night, outdoor delight.  Rain or shine it's wedding fiesta time!

 

 

 

Your suggestions are much appreciated!  Thanks so much!  Stephanie

[vbbbtk]

LeeLee,

 

I too am having the same problem.  We are planning to get married in Jamaica and then we are planning to come back and have a "celebration" of our marrriage, not a formal reception.  I too want it to be more of a casual flow of people eating, drinking, etc.   I didn't know if setting up a website to explain the vision further would work or just having family and friends spread the word.

 

sort of off subject but,  What type of attire are you planning to wear?  What do you invision your guests wearing? 

[LeeLee]

Hi!  Our AHR is just a month away, so I am in the midst of it all!  We ended up simply stating "Open House" on the invite.  I was so torn, because I wanted people to know this was an RSVP'd event (we included a RSVP postcard with the invite)--but that is was also casual and dinner/cocktails would be served.  The plan is to have the taco bar, dessert bar and beverages set up all evening.  People can eat when they want, come and go as the please.  We decided to hire entertainment--to keep people engaged in the party, so we have a Mexican Mariachi Duo playing for 2 hours, a moonbounce for the kiddies, yard games, sparklers and a bonfire when it gets dark.

 

Here is my invite--I felt like it explained to guests that is was casual, but still an event--not a graduation-type party.  We did set up a website, but no one has really viewed it.  I have a mywedding.com site and it tracks the traffic of the site--and its a huge 0!  It's nice, just in case, but word of mouth works too.  Or--just simply state "Open House."  People will RSVP--we have 120 already!  Eek!

 

We plan on wearing what we wore for the wedding.  Wedding gown, my hubby will be in his suit, bridesmaids in their dresses, etc.  I felt that our guest would want to kind of re-live the day and see us in our wedding attire.  I think our guests will wear semi-dressy outfits.  Women in sundresses, men in slacks/nice shirts.

 

p.s. We created a slide show DVD with iMovie and iDVD and plan to loop it on a TV--I learned that most projector/screen combos need it to be 100% dark to view.  So--that would not work.  The DVD is a great option!

 

Good luck!  Let me know if you have any insight!

Originally Posted by vbbbtk 

LeeLee,

 

I too am having the same problem.  We are planning to get married in Jamaica and then we are planning to come back and have a "celebration" of our marrriage, not a formal reception.  I too want it to be more of a casual flow of people eating, drinking, etc.   I didn't know if setting up a website to explain the vision further would work or just having family and friends spread the word.

 

sort of off subject but,  What type of attire are you planning to wear?  What do you invision your guests wearing? 

 

[vbbbtk]

Oh wow just a month!  Good luck I am sure it will be a wonderful time!  Congratulations on your marriage I hope it was everything you dreamed it to be. 

I really like your invite and the wording you ended up with and its great that you have recieved so many RSVPs.  It sounds like it will be a great time.  Will you and your husband, bridal party be making a special entrance or just kind of be hanging around? 

 

You have an excellent point with the projector screen... i never really thought about that.

 

Thanks so much for sharing your details and please let me know how it all ends up.  I would really like to do my AHR much like what you sound to be having!  I have a bunch of planning yet to do... ahhhhhh

 

ps.  I hope that you are going to have materials to make smores cause to me a bon fire without smores well thats just almost a crime!  not really but I just really enjoy them especially if you substitute the hersheys bar for a reeses.  Just make sure to have plenty of handy wipes as they do tend to make a bit of a mess

 

Originally Posted by LeeLee 

Hi!  Our AHR is just a month away, so I am in the midst of it all!  We ended up simply stating "Open House" on the invite.  I was so torn, because I wanted people to know this was an RSVP'd event (we included a RSVP postcard with the invite)--but that is was also casual and dinner/cocktails would be served.  The plan is to have the taco bar, dessert bar and beverages set up all evening.  People can eat when they want, come and go as the please.  We decided to hire entertainment--to keep people engaged in the party, so we have a Mexican Mariachi Duo playing for 2 hours, a moonbounce for the kiddies, yard games, sparklers and a bonfire when it gets dark.

 

Here is my invite--I felt like it explained to guests that is was casual, but still an event--not a graduation-type party.  We did set up a website, but no one has really viewed it.  I have a mywedding.com site and it tracks the traffic of the site--and its a huge 0!  It's nice, just in case, but word of mouth works too.  Or--just simply state "Open House."  People will RSVP--we have 120 already!  Eek!

 

We plan on wearing what we wore for the wedding.  Wedding gown, my hubby will be in his suit, bridesmaids in their dresses, etc.  I felt that our guest would want to kind of re-live the day and see us in our wedding attire.  I think our guests will wear semi-dressy outfits.  Women in sundresses, men in slacks/nice shirts.

 

p.s. We created a slide show DVD with iMovie and iDVD and plan to loop it on a TV--I learned that most projector/screen combos need it to be 100% dark to view.  So--that would not work.  The DVD is a great option!

 

Good luck!  Let me know if you have any insight!

 

 

[sarah2012]

I love the idea of a taco bar! Your guys style is totally what we want - just not sure if we are going to wait 6 months after the wedding for the weather to get better to have the party or just rent a hall is it will be winter right after the wedding and do the whole thing indoors... hmmm

[LeeLee]

In response to Vbbbtk:  I know...its sneaking up so quickly!  I am in the midst of all the last minute details!  We are not doing a grand entrance, just hanging out.  Nothing too formal.  THANK YOU for suggesting s'mores!  Why didn't I think of that?  Of course we need s'mores!  :-)  Thanks!  I will update you on how it went!  Thanks!

 

In response to Sarah2010:  The taco bar, hands down is the best!  Easy, simple and who doesn't love tacos?!  We got married in Feb and our AHR is 4 months after...I think it would be OK to wait 6 months, but in all honesty--it costs a pretty penny to rent a tent, tables, chairs, etc...it might be more cost effective to have it at a hall or a local Mexican resturant!  I love that idea!  You could rent space at a resturant--sometime they don't have a minimum food order?  Good luck and congrats on your upcoming wedding!

[katman]

This sounds like a great time!! And your invitation is lovely - simple and clear.
This AHR idea sounds very similar to what FI and I are considering for ours, and I would love to hear how everything turned out!! What you would do differently, what went well, etc...
I hope everything was perfect for you
 

Originally Posted by LeeLee 

Hi!  Our AHR is just a month away, so I am in the midst of it all!  We ended up simply stating "Open House" on the invite.  I was so torn, because I wanted people to know this was an RSVP'd event (we included a RSVP postcard with the invite)--but that is was also casual and dinner/cocktails would be served.  The plan is to have the taco bar, dessert bar and beverages set up all evening.  People can eat when they want, come and go as the please.  We decided to hire entertainment--to keep people engaged in the party, so we have a Mexican Mariachi Duo playing for 2 hours, a moonbounce for the kiddies, yard games, sparklers and a bonfire when it gets dark.

 

Here is my invite--I felt like it explained to guests that is was casual, but still an event--not a graduation-type party.  We did set up a website, but no one has really viewed it.  I have a mywedding.com site and it tracks the traffic of the site--and its a huge 0!  It's nice, just in case, but word of mouth works too.  Or--just simply state "Open House."  People will RSVP--we have 120 already!  Eek!

 

We plan on wearing what we wore for the wedding.  Wedding gown, my hubby will be in his suit, bridesmaids in their dresses, etc.  I felt that our guest would want to kind of re-live the day and see us in our wedding attire.  I think our guests will wear semi-dressy outfits.  Women in sundresses, men in slacks/nice shirts.

 

p.s. We created a slide show DVD with iMovie and iDVD and plan to loop it on a TV--I learned that most projector/screen combos need it to be 100% dark to view.  So--that would not work.  The DVD is a great option!

 

Good luck!  Let me know if you have any insight!

 

[balibride]

I love the little phrase out being outside all night rain or shine- that's really cute

[LeeLee]

Hi Katman!  The fiesta was a total success and everyone had a great time.  Looking back, we probably would not have had the AHR at all.  We felt our wedding in MX was so perfect that planning another event was somewhat anti-climactic.  Although we were burned out from planning, spending $ and more planning it was a wonderful party where all of the family/friends were able to celebrate with us at home.  It was fun, but a lot of extra work.  Essentially--you plan TWO recpetions!  Its work, so be prepared.  I guess we could've just had a BBQ and made it much more chill, but that's not how I do things....ha!  :-)

 

What everyone loved:  the delicous taco bar, the dessert buffet and the margaritas!  Ole!  We decided to use the large beverage dispenders to serve maragritas and lemondae, as well as a keg and wine.  We didn't want to have pop cans sitting everywhere, so we opted for just a few options of beverages.  Guests also loved the dessert buffet, cupcakes, caramel corn, churros and 3 different cakes.  It was so cute!  Sam's Club has amazing buttercreme cupcakes for about $13 for 30!  Such a great deal!

 

What else--the moonbounce was awesome!  It kept the kids busy so the adults could mingle.  I would highly recommend!!!!  The mariachi duo was a hit too.  It was a little entertainment but not too much.  I'd reccomend that you have a non family member or a friend of a friend that can keep things clean and refreshed.  I hired my sister's friend to keep the beverages stocked, the food fresh and things organized.  What a life saver!  You need to focus on your guests, not how full the chips are, so its great to have a reliable 'employee' to worry about everything so you and your hubby can focus on the guests.

 

What would've we done differently...?  Ordered less FOOD!  Our entire family (both sets of parents and sibilings) at tacos for 2 weeks!!!!!  We ordered food for 215 (RSVP count) and only 150 or show showed up!  Think about ordering for less than RSVP b/c summer's are busy and people will end up not making it.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.  Good luck!!!  Stephanie