We're thinking of an AHR.. How much did/is it costing you?

[MissBubbles205]

My FI an I are considering doing an AHR.. I'm just curious as to how much it will cost?...

 

Reason for having one.. We have chosen to do a Destination Wedding (since I live in AL and he lives in GA) which will cost our couples close to 2k for the entire trip or less depending on how many nights they stay, and we know several of our friends and family wont be able to afford such a thing. Several have been complaining for months :-/  Family members say we need to have something local.. So I was thinking best of both worlds... Close family and friends come to the DW and once we return and have pictures, etc to share we can do an AHR for those that weren't able to be with us.

 

Thinking of having the AHR in GA, where I will be moving to with my FI. I am a little worried on how many people will actually show up. My FI has a huge family and several family friends, many to which I have never met so I also thought would be a great idea for an AHR so that I can meet them all. I'm thinking more along the lines of appetizers, drinks (possibly alcohol) and definitely dancing!.. Something I have always wanted to share with my future hubby and my friends. Dancing at the DW is out of the question because there wont be no more than 30 of us.

 

Would also love to see pictures of you AHR and ideas!!..

[Oct 2012 Bride]

We are having a simple AHR. Maybe not a true "AHR" but we made a simple budget of $500. Mainly we want it to be a "come celebrate with us that we are now married" party. Someone play the music. We make some dishes and have a few other bring something and drinks. We do want to have our wedding pictures playing on a projector all night. And we might have a small favor. But that is it. We are spending enough on the actual wedding. We don't want to be spending money like we are having a second wedding.

[MissBubbles205]

 That's a great idea!!  Are you going to do RSVP's for you AHR?  I think I will want to DIY some so that I can get an idea of how many will attend, that will help determine our location choice.

 

I wouldn't mind something simple either.. I could even make dishes and have mom and MIL's help make food to keep costs down.. I just really want to have dancing.. But maybe I should just think more of a simple gathering. I just didn't know what else we could do that would be fun.. Ugh.. As if the DW was stressful enough. :-S

 

Where do you plan to have yours?

Originally Posted by Oct 2012 Bride 

We are having a simple AHR. Maybe not a true "AHR" but we made a simple budget of $500. Mainly we want it to be a "come celebrate with us that we are now married" party. Someone play the music. We make some dishes and have a few other bring something and drinks. We do want to have our wedding pictures playing on a projector all night. And we might have a small favor. But that is it. We are spending enough on the actual wedding. We don't want to be spending money like we are having a second wedding.

 

 

[Oct 2012 Bride]

I'm not going to have guests RSVP because that will make it too formal. Or maybe I will just do an FB invite and let poeple say they if are coming. I want to make sure people know that it is casual and not to expect some big grand thing. There will be music, so there will still be dancing. We just don't want to do anything extra.

[kellykanester]

our ahr was going to be a small celebration and it has turned in to a full reception. We have rented a hall out and are getting a liquor license, serving either appies or a buffet and decorating in our wedding colors.

 

I am expecting it to cost just under 5000, but we will get some back from the cash bar.

[Mufin1785]

We are having a Champagne Brunch 1 month after we return with 125 guests.  This is our breakdown:

 

$3375-  hall, food, champagne, wine beer 

$ 490 - 3 hours of photography with full release of pictures on DVD

$ 400 - wedding cake

 

$4265.00  But, I also want to do favors and flowers on the the tables so it will probably be closer to $5,000

[mrlddst]

We are having a full reception at home.  We rented a ballroom in a hotel($3000) plus the DJ and lighting($1200), cake($200), photo booth($300), and photography is free courtesy of my FI bf.  We are going to display our wedding, eat and party!

[MissBubbles205]

Thanks for the break down ladies!!.. Glad to know we can have something like that for 5!! ) Sooo relieved!..  Didn't think of a hotel ballroom, I will def look into that!!

 

Thanks!!

[Amanda Gardner]

We are doing an AHR which will be dancing, food, band or DJ, and alcohol. Do not have the full price yet, but is costing more than I thought. Our biggest expenses are of course alcohol and the venue. Venues are not cheap.

[Krs398]

We are having a full blown AHR one month after the DW.  My budget is around $10k, but REALLY wanted it to be less, and our parents are helping out too.  We are having a cocktail hour with a mariachi band, buffet dinner, cake, favors, DJ, and beer, wine and soda free all night.  We are inviting 250 and hoping for 175 or less!  i feel like it's our 2nd wedding and i'm not super excited about it, but whatever! we have a lot of family that can't make it to mexico, so i guess this our chance to all get together and have a great time! (i hope!)