AHR - I need some advice

[pfeiffla]

Great advice, what you did sounds awesome!  My FI doesn't want to do an AHR, he feels that we are having our reception at our DW, so we don't need to do it again.  I was torn, but now I'm just excited to get there
 

Originally Posted by iGotsGills 

 

We did our AHR a week after we returned home from our honeymoon, but we made it more of a party than another wedding reception (we figured we did the whole shebang while we were away, and so we would celebrate it but not replicate it).  We had 200 people, and we did a Sunday afternoon cruise on a yacht with cocktails and a lot of food.  We had toasts, and that was it.  We didn't even have assigned seating, except for limited mobility guests and the wedding party.  All of the wedding party was identified by corsages and boutonnieres, and that was pretty much the extent of it.  I didn't even wear my wedding dress; I wore a short ivory dress instead (I guess it could be classified as a "short wedding dress").

 

Here's my thought on the AHR: if you want the experience of having a larger reception, by all means have at it.  The way I felt about mine, however, was that it was more for my parents.  I was perfectly content with my DW reception (as was my husband, but he's actually glad we did the AHR now).  In fact, I barely remember my AHR because there were so many people and I was busy running around trying to make sure I spoke with all of them.

 

Everyone did rave about it though, so it's nice that so many people were happy.

 

[asiamarie1]

There are definitely so many options out there on what you can do. I am glad that we have decided to have a Welcome Back Cocktail Reception! Some of my friends and family were feeling stressed about not being able to be there, and our decision has given them some relief. I guess I didn't realize any one was stressing about not being there, when I clearly stated it's ok!!

[arielh]

I love the idea of thinking of it as more of a party!! Question for you ladies thou: at our DW we are nothing really having a reception (with the first dances and what not - we are having the ceremony, dinner and then the younger crowd is heading to the disco), so I am completely lost on how our AHR should work...any ideas???

 

I want to incoportate the first dances, a cutting of the cake (at the in-laws request), and a few speeches, but we are not having a sit down dinner, just appetizers......If anyone can suggest how to make this work I would be SO thankful!! O and the girls want to wear the dresses again so I am unsure if I should make the event a dressy or casual dress code......
 

Originally Posted by iGotsGills 

 

We did our AHR a week after we returned home from our honeymoon, but we made it more of a party than another wedding reception (we figured we did the whole shebang while we were away, and so we would celebrate it but not replicate it).  We had 200 people, and we did a Sunday afternoon cruise on a yacht with cocktails and a lot of food.  We had toasts, and that was it.  We didn't even have assigned seating, except for limited mobility guests and the wedding party.  All of the wedding party was identified by corsages and boutonnieres, and that was pretty much the extent of it.  I didn't even wear my wedding dress; I wore a short ivory dress instead (I guess it could be classified as a "short wedding dress").

 

Here's my thought on the AHR: if you want the experience of having a larger reception, by all means have at it.  The way I felt about mine, however, was that it was more for my parents.  I was perfectly content with my DW reception (as was my husband, but he's actually glad we did the AHR now).  In fact, I barely remember my AHR because there were so many people and I was busy running around trying to make sure I spoke with all of them.

 

Everyone did rave about it though, so it's nice that so many people were happy.

 

[asiamarie1]

My girls also want to wear their dresses and like you we are only having appetizers...that's why we are going to be calling it a Welcome Back cocktail reception and typically most people will know what to wear and what not or at least we hope so!!! I am  also trying to figure out what we are and arent going to be doing....so if anyone else has suggestions please feel free to let us know.....

 

 

ly Posted by arielh 

 

I love the idea of thinking of it as more of a party!! Question for you ladies thou: at our DW we are nothing really having a reception (with the first dances and what not - we are having the ceremony, dinner and then the younger crowd is heading to the disco), so I am completely lost on how our AHR should work...any ideas???

 

I want to incoportate the first dances, a cutting of the cake (at the in-laws request), and a few speeches, but we are not having a sit down dinner, just appetizers......If anyone can suggest how to make this work I would be SO thankful!! O and the girls want to wear the dresses again so I am unsure if I should make the event a dressy or casual dress code......
 

 

 

[lucy<3woody]

Go with a casual dress code if you want it to be more of a party atmosphere. I think you can easily do all of those traditional wedding reception things, such as cake cutting and speeches without having a formal dinner. Just indicate the specifics on the invitation.

 

For example:

Please join us for Appetizers, Cake, and Cocktails to celebrate the marriage of Arielh and Husband.

 

Reception at 7pm at Name of Location

 

Cake Cutting and Speeches at 7:30pm

 

Dance at 8PM

 

 

This will help people understand that there is some structure to the evening, what they can expect as far as food and drink, and will also keep you on track to ensure that you fit in all of the things that you want, such as the first dance. If you know that the music starts at 8pm, everyone can be prepared for the special dances right away, then a night of fun!

[arielh]

Thank you!! I think that is a great idea to be specific in the invites!!
 

Originally Posted by lucy<3woody 

Go with a casual dress code if you want it to be more of a party atmosphere. I think you can easily do all of those traditional wedding reception things, such as cake cutting and speeches without having a formal dinner. Just indicate the specifics on the invitation.

 

For example:

Please join us for Appetizers, Cake, and Cocktails to celebrate the marriage of Arielh and Husband.

 

Reception at 7pm at Name of Location

 

Cake Cutting and Speeches at 7:30pm

 

Dance at 8PM

 

 

This will help people understand that there is some structure to the evening, what they can expect as far as food and drink, and will also keep you on track to ensure that you fit in all of the things that you want, such as the first dance. If you know that the music starts at 8pm, everyone can be prepared for the special dances right away, then a night of fun!

 

[Katelyn Carney]

A good friend of mine got married 7 years ago in Hawaii and did an AHR. What she did was she had the DJ introduce them, they danced, danced with their parents, then cut the cake, and the rest was a party. Itworked for her, and I think that is what I am going to do. We are having about 26 people (only inviting immediate family and bridal party--we have HUGE families) in the DR with us, but to appease other people we are having an AHR, with the traditional stuff. I don't think I want to repeat the speeches, but I guess that is something we could discuss as it gets closer.

 

[asiamarie1]

Originally Posted by Katelyn Carney 

 

A good friend of mine got married 7 years ago in Hawaii and did an AHR. What she did was she had the DJ introduce them, they danced, danced with their parents, then cut the cake, and the rest was a party. Itworked for her, and I think that is what I am going to do. We are having about 26 people (only inviting immediate family and bridal party--we have HUGE families) in the DR with us, but to appease other people we are having an AHR, with the traditional stuff. I don't think I want to repeat the speeches, but I guess that is something we could discuss as it gets closer.

 

We are going to do the same thing....

[balibride]

I love the idea of a welcome back cocktail party!

[asiamarie1]

Yeah we do to and it was a way for us to include everyone who isn't able to travel with us.