Rehearsal/Welcome Dinner Invites?

[Jackie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkashmira Great idea ladies! I need to figure it out soon! The problem I'm having it that the RSVP function on my website is weird and people need to have their individual "code" to respond... which I didn't realize or send out earlier. I need to somehow incorporate this into the invite or the response card... Maybe adding a line on the response card? Ahhhhhh! I also haven't definitely locked down the RD sight. I'm torn between Casa Natalia or Baja Cantina... two VERY different places. Casa Natalia can do a full dinner with wine for 50 people for $5K (with tax and service chanrges included). Baja Cantina can do a taco bar and open domestic bar for 50 peeple for about $4K... so what would people rather have? I have no idea. The food at Casa Natalia will be WAY better but then the bar is limited and the atmosphere is a lot more formal. At Baja Cantina it'll be more of a bonfire on the beach with taco buffet and could be fun but also is sort of similiar to what we're doing for the Reception... jeesh! Either way I'll also need a bus for guest to go to/from the venue... Ahhhhhh! I just wish I didnt' have to decide this all now. But if I want to include it in the invite then I need to. So maybe that'll be my decision. Procrastination. yes, I think I vote procrastination.

I would say tacos and open bar at the Baja. 1. it seems more ethnic and mexicanee 2. It sounds more fun and enjoyable. 3. It cost less money.
But I dont know your guests so I could be completely wrong. I would much rather sit by a bonfire and have a relaxed atmosphere with good laughs with my friends and family than at a sit down atmosphere where the only people you get to really chat with are the people to the left of you right of you infront of you.

[gkashmira]

Good point Jaackie - i was sort of thinking the same thing... PLus if more than 50 people come then I'm really starting to spend WAY too much on the RD...

[Jackie]

Ya, I would definitly go with the less costly then. Either of them would be great so why not save yourself 1000.00.

[JENGONDA9]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkashmira Great idea ladies! I need to figure it out soon! The problem I'm having it that the RSVP function on my website is weird and people need to have their individual "code" to respond... which I didn't realize or send out earlier. I need to somehow incorporate this into the invite or the response card... Maybe adding a line on the response card? Ahhhhhh! I also haven't definitely locked down the RD sight. I'm torn between Casa Natalia or Baja Cantina... two VERY different places. Casa Natalia can do a full dinner with wine for 50 people for $5K (with tax and service chanrges included). Baja Cantina can do a taco bar and open domestic bar for 50 peeple for about $4K... so what would people rather have? I have no idea. The food at Casa Natalia will be WAY better but then the bar is limited and the atmosphere is a lot more formal. At Baja Cantina it'll be more of a bonfire on the beach with taco buffet and could be fun but also is sort of similiar to what we're doing for the Reception... jeesh! Either way I'll also need a bus for guest to go to/from the venue... Ahhhhhh! I just wish I didnt' have to decide this all now. But if I want to include it in the invite then I need to. So maybe that'll be my decision. Procrastination. yes, I think I vote procrastination.

Wow Kash- those prices just stunned me girl! Althought I do love the idea of a mexican fiesta...we are doing a full lobster/steak or fish dinner with salad/soup and dessert at Puerta Vieja for 70 people with one round of drinks all for about $3500 which includes tax and service charges. For 50 peeps you could do dinner there for $35 pp and open bar by consumption at $10 per hour for two hours and still be under $4K. Here's their website in case you want to checkit out: www.puertavieja.com

[TammyWright]

kash, go for something more casual and fun so your guests can get to know each other...our welcome dinner was a mexican/caribbean buffet then casino night...it really got everyone together...in fact the casino night group who were not very close before just acquantances of each other have all become great friends and we now have poker night every month with the same people.

[MARIAELM]

i vote for the more casual dinner as well. let people relax and get to know each other. they'll have more fun during the entire trip!

[gkashmira]

I think you might be right... I did figure out last night that if I have the taco bar buffet for 70 people and do 2 hours of open bar at Baja Cantina it will be $3657.50. If we do 3 hours open bar then it becomes $4462.50...

 

Jen - I'll have to check out Puerta Vieja! What great prices and the food sounds so delicious! Do you think they could substitute a vegetarian option for the fish... hmmm... so if we did the dinner there with a two hour open bar (assuming the usual 15% gratuity/service and 10% tax) it would be: $4812.50

 

I have to say at this point I'm really leaning towards the taco bar w/ 2 hours of open bar (hey, if people want to keep drinking than they can but they'll have to pay for themselves at that point...). What do you guys think - that would be fun right?

 

Should I put something in the invite about it?

[Jackie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkashmira I think you might be right... I did figure out last night that if I have the taco bar buffet for 70 people and do 2 hours of open bar at Baja Cantina it will be $3657.50. If we do 3 hours open bar then it becomes $4462.50... I am hoping that the vouchers become available again so I can use them! Jen - I'll have to check out Puerta Vieja! What great prices and the food sounds so delicious! Do you think they could substitute a vegetarian option for the fish... hmmm... so if we did the dinner there with a two hour open bar (assuming the usual 15% gratuity/service and 10% tax) it would be: $4812.50 I have to say at this point I'm really leaning towards the taco bar w/ 2 hours of open bar (hey, if people want to keep drinking than they can but they'll have to pay for themselves at that point...). What do you guys think - that would be fun right? Should I put something in the invite about it?

Maybe just post it on your website, either way really I suppose its just what you prefer to do and what you think will get the best RSVP response out of people. But I think youve made the right choice, and yes I think two hours open bar is plenty sufficient for a RD/WD. I dont know what these vouchers are all about either but good luck with that, hopefully they do come around again and you can save some $$.

[Sarah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by host kash, go for something more casual and fun so your guests can get to know each other...our welcome dinner was a mexican/caribbean buffet then casino night...it really got everyone together...in fact the casino night group who were not very close before just acquantances of each other have all become great friends and we now have poker night every month with the same people.

Tammy, how did you do the casino night? That sounds like fun. Did the resort set it up for you or someone else? What games did you have and was it real $$ or not?

[A10CalGal]

Kash - I vote for the more casual atmosphere of Baja Cantina (or something similar) for your RD. It will definitely give people a better atmosphere for getting to know eachother as opposed to a structured sit down dinner. That's pretty much why I chose to do the more casual format. I am also happy with being able to provide that cool beach side atmosphere with a taco bar & 2 hours of open bar for right around $2K for our anticipated 40 guests.

 

As far as notifying people...I posted it as an event on our website. I am working on invites this month and plan to put an insert in our invite regarding the rehearsal dinner. I think I will add a line to our RSVP card specifically for the RD. That's the plan anyway.