Open House VS AHR....Opinions?

[Jen Allan]

Hi everyone,

 

I love reading all you're threads and its great to be able to brainstorm together. So I'm hoping some of you can help me out!

My fiance and I are getting married in Jamaica November 2012. We are paying for everything (so far). With him being in school still and me just starting my career money isn't exactly "flowing" in right now  We would like to be able to have something after the wedding, as there are people who are unable to attend. However, the idea of doing an AHR is daunting! The wedding is expensive as it is, let alone  basically having 2! So my question is what are some of your thoughts/opinions on an open house as an alternative. It's a good way of keeping some of the costs down but still allowing people to see pictures, visit, enjoy each other's companies...etc. Any ideas? And have any of you done this, if so, what was the response? Any advice?

 

[bride6262]

Hi Jen!

 

I feel that a formal reception back home defeats the purpose for us getting married away in the first place. my MIL wants to have a sit down dinner and be all fancy but we just cant afford that at all since we are also paying for everything. so i have chosen to do a family BBQ instead. we are treating it as a kind of open house having people free to come and go as the please. we will be starting at 3pm so ppl dont have to leave too early to travel (we live in kingston, his family windsor, mine sarnia and friends all over the province) and then it will go til whenever at night.... then those who want to stay and party all night we will be moving to the camp ground my parents have a trailer at so ppl can drink and spend the night if they want to or can go home if they want. i want somethign chill and relaxed and that ppl dont feel pressure to stay at if they dont want to.

 

i think it is a great idea. my sister did an open house style reception too (she was married in jamaica last year) and ppl loved it! we had pics everywhere and a slideshow with music going too. it was nice for families to be able to come together and meet (if they didnt make it to the wedding) and just hang out together!

 

hope that helps!
 

Originally Posted by Jen Allan 

Hi everyone,

 

I love reading all you're threads and its great to be able to brainstorm together. So I'm hoping some of you can help me out!

My fiance and I are getting married in Jamaica November 2012. We are paying for everything (so far). With him being in school still and me just starting my career money isn't exactly "flowing" in right now  We would like to be able to have something after the wedding, as there are people who are unable to attend. However, the idea of doing an AHR is daunting! The wedding is expensive as it is, let alone  basically having 2! So my question is what are some of your thoughts/opinions on an open house as an alternative. It's a good way of keeping some of the costs down but still allowing people to see pictures, visit, enjoy each other's companies...etc. Any ideas? And have any of you done this, if so, what was the response? Any advice?

 

 

[parafrogbride]

Hi Jen!

 

I totally feel you! We are getting married in Antigua next month. We are also paying for everything, and my family wants this big to do. We live in Texas, my family in Ohio, his in California and Kentucky. So I think we are going to do a small reception/open house in Ohio in July. Still up in the air with it all. It gets so overwhelming. I wish we would have eloped before telling anyone!

[KayCee2117]

Hi brides! We recently had our DW in Mexico (in January) and we are planning our AHR reception for end of April hoping the weather will cooperate. We are having it open house style at my in-laws. Nothing too formal so people can come and go as they please between 3-7pm and those who want to stay late to party can do so. We are sending out an evite so not doing formal invitations - already did that once for our DW. 

 

They have a big backyard. We will open that up along with the basement. Expecting about 80 guests. We are hiring a caterer to hand out appy-style food, parents are cooking some food as well and we are providing alcohol. We will also rent a tent and heater if the weather looks chilly for that weekend.

 

We are going to put on our wedding attire just at the beginning to take pictures with family, esp grandparents as they did not make it to our DW. After that, we will change into something less dressy but not too casual.

 

We will play the slideshow from our wedding on a loop so poeple can watch it whenever they want. Not hiring professional photographer or videographer for this event. Decorations will be simple, with flowers. Our budget is $3K.

 

Happy planning all

[breeburns]

We are planning on doing a BBQ also about a month after the wedding to show pictures and stuff to propel who didn't come. My parents want it at their place, I'd rather have it at ours but I don't care very much! We definitely didn't want anything big or fancy because it's just not us (hence destination wedding in Mexico). And people will be told about it via Facebook or text message.

[balibride]

I think an open house is a really good idea, I think we're going to do a BBQ / hog roast style afternoon, (but wearing my dress!) otherwise I feel you just end up paying for two weddings!

[brgephar]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who is wanting a more low-key, come and go as you please type open house. Thanks for sharing your ideas ladies!

[Dena]

I agree ladies about keeping it casual and relaxed. My question is this; how long after the wedding should we do our open house. We are getting married in Jamaica November 14, 2013 and by the time we come back from our honeymoon which wont be until November 23, 2013 it seems that Christmas is right around the corner. Input on doing it before or after Christmas would be greatly appreciated. Also, what are everyone's thoughts on doing a Sunday late morning open house?? I don't really want the expense of suppling alcohol for everyone but thought I may be able to get around that by having it as a Sunday brunch open house with maybe a punch non-alcoholic and alcoholic, coffee and tea. Thanks Ladies and congrats to you all!!!!

[LAtravelgirl]

My mother brought up the idea of an open house but it seems like more work than a dinner at a local restaurant. Especially when it comes to keep food fresh for hours.
 

[kefritz]

were doing an open house more than a reception with food. where people can come and visit