2013 At Home Receptions (AHR's)

[ornxoxo]

I think I will be doing something similar to the other bride does - an 'open house' AHR.  We'll probably be doing backyard BBQ and some buffet style.  Very low key and not much of prepping work and more so like a get together.  We'll be showing slideshow of pictures and videos from the DW, so the people that missed can see what a fabulous time we have and I'm sure that the people who were there would want to see those pictures as well.  

 

One thing for me is that my AHR may be around November in NY, which is quite cold.....still don't know how the backyard BBQ would work.  Any suggestions?

[Kay6356]

Originally Posted by ornxoxo 

 

I think I will be doing something similar to the other bride does - an 'open house' AHR.  We'll probably be doing backyard BBQ and some buffet style.  Very low key and not much of prepping work and more so like a get together.  We'll be showing slideshow of pictures and videos from the DW, so the people that missed can see what a fabulous time we have and I'm sure that the people who were there would want to see those pictures as well.  

 

One thing for me is that my AHR may be around November in NY, which is quite cold.....still don't know how the backyard BBQ would work.  Any suggestions?

I know you can rent heated tents... that may be an option to look into

[abbacaddaba]

Originally Posted by Peach 

 

We put something in our pre-travel brochure about what NOT to bring:

 

- A gift! Your presence is present in and of itself!

 

Both are great ideas thank you ladies!

[ornxoxo]

Originally Posted by Kay6356 

 

I know you can rent heated tents... that may be an option to look into

 

Yes....I forgot about that!  Thank you.  Gotta see if it's gonna be expensive or not.  It will definitely be less $ than renting out a hall...

[Kay6356]

Originally Posted by ornxoxo 

 

 

Yes....I forgot about that!  Thank you.  Gotta see if it's gonna be expensive or not.  It will definitely be less $ than renting out a hall...

Another option would be looking into community centres in your area.  That's what we are doing it is about $100/hour and than you do your own bar/food.  

[ornxoxo]

Another option would be looking into community centres in your area.  That's what we are doing it is about $100/hour and than you do your own bar/food.  

Thank you. I'll see if I can find anything for that rate in NY. It's not bad idea.

[andreann]

We had an engagement party that was like an AHR minus the dinner and the ceremony. It was a cocktail that started at 5 and lasted until about midnight! We did it in Guatemala where most of family and friends are, because most of them will not be able to make the DW. We didnt expect so many of his people to come! But we actually had a group of 15 OOT.so I made OOT bags for them that included homemade bacon-fig jam, Guatemalan cofee, peacock earrings (we had a peacock theme!). In a way it was like an AHR and a DW in one. In hindsight, I would have hired some bartenders and servers, gone with the DIY route for the decor. We spent too much momey on the decor and I was not impressed (I said I wanted anything BUt roses and the centerpieces were all rose!). We had a major candy bar that was so pretty it was the focal point for the whole thing. We got a caterer to do it so that we didnt have to pay corkage at a venue. Did signature drinks and only one champagne pp for the toast. I would recommend having beer and some other manly drinks becuase although the women loved the tequila-watermelon, tamarind martini and blackberry mojitos, many of the guys wanted something different (we sent out to buy some extra stuff to have something on hand last minute). We had a live band and trust me, it is worth the investment. We only did a couple of hours to keep costs down, and had ipod to warm up and cool down... but it made the party. I would say skip the decor if you have to, forget oot bags, but have good music. I wore a white dress that I ordered from china for $125 and added some turquoise gemstones. In all, it was around $4,000. My mom had offered 3 and we paid the difference. It ended up being like a wedding a wedding almost, and it was amazing everybody still talks about it... although its alot compared to our wedding budget. I would have cut costs on the planner, food, and decor and used it towards the actual wedding. Aaaaaaand I dont think the oot bags really had an impact, nice as they were I dont think they were appreciated compared to the amount of time money and effort I put into them We had probably 115 people total, bit it was kind of coming amd going since it was a cocktail so it was nice my FI and I were able to be with everyone withhout feeling pressured or rushed. We really enjoyed the party as did everybody else. I kind of liked doing it is way because it was as exciting as an ahr but far enough apart that both events are given importance. We did invite everybody to both events but because of the different locations and the fact that we are from different places, there is not much overlap except for our close family. in summary: As long as you have great music, enough drinks, and good company it will be great. And make sure you have a photographer to capture everything for the future!

[ornxoxo]

Originally Posted by andreann 

 

We had an engagement party that was like an AHR minus the dinner and the ceremony. It was a cocktail that started at 5 and lasted until about midnight!

We did it in Guatemala where most of family and friends are, because most of them will not be able to make the DW. We didnt expect so many of his people to come!

But we actually had a group of 15 OOT.so I made OOT bags for them that included homemade bacon-fig jam, Guatemalan cofee, peacock earrings (we had a peacock theme!).

In a way it was like an AHR and a DW in one.

In hindsight, I would have hired some bartenders and servers, gone with the DIY route for the decor. We spent too much momey on the decor and I was not impressed (I said I wanted anything BUt roses and the centerpieces were all rose!). We had a major candy bar that was so pretty it was the focal point for the whole thing.

We got a caterer to do it so that we didnt have to pay corkage at a venue. Did signature drinks and only one champagne pp for the toast. I would recommend having beer and some other manly drinks becuase although the women loved the tequila-watermelon, tamarind martini and blackberry mojitos, many of the guys wanted something different (we sent out to buy some extra stuff to have something on hand last minute).

We had a live band and trust me, it is worth the investment. We only did a couple of hours to keep costs down, and had ipod to warm up and cool down... but it made the party. I would say skip the decor if you have to, forget oot bags, but have good music.

I wore a white dress that I ordered from china for $125 and added some turquoise gemstones.

In all, it was around $4,000. My mom had offered 3 and we paid the difference. It ended up being like a wedding a wedding almost, and it was amazing everybody still talks about it... although its alot compared to our wedding budget. I would have cut costs on the planner, food, and decor and used it towards the actual wedding.

Aaaaaaand I dont think the oot bags really had an impact, nice as they were I dont think they were appreciated compared to the amount of time money and effort I put into them

We had probably 115 people total, bit it was kind of coming amd going since it was a cocktail so it was nice my FI and I were able to be with everyone withhout feeling pressured or rushed. We really enjoyed the party as did everybody else.

I kind of liked doing it is way because it was as exciting as an ahr but far enough apart that both events are given importance. We did invite everybody to both events but because of the different locations and the fact that we are from different places, there is not much overlap except for our close family.

in summary:

As long as you have great music, enough drinks, and good company it will be great. And make sure you have a photographer to capture everything for the future!

 

That sounds so fun!  What makes you happy is all that matters.

[EVKnowsitall]

Woohoo AHR is officially booked. We went with a small venue in our neighborhood. It's not the least expensive option but for what is included its worth it plus our parents are chipping in. My mom paid the $1,000 deposit and my fiances mother offered to pitch in whatever my mom puts in. The place is giving us colored linens, centerpieces (our choice of glass vases with white birch branches we can decorate or candelabras), colored moodlighting (which was an $800 expense through the DJ), standard open bar, 8 passed hot hors

[EVKnowsitall]

Sorry I wasn't finished! but I hit submit in my excitement...it was also midnight.

 

Woohoo AHR is officially booked. We went with a small venue in our neighborhood. It's not the least expensive option but for what is included its worth it, plus our parents are chipping in. My mom paid the $1,000 deposit and my fiances mother offered to pitch in whatever my mom puts in.

The place is giving us colored linens, centerpieces (our choice of glass vases with white birch branches we can decorate or candelabras), colored moodlighting (which was an $800 expense through the DJ), standard open bar, 8 passed hot hors d'oeuvres ( took me forever to spell that correctly I hate that word), a crudite table, antipasto, salad, a carving station, a pasta station, and a dessert table with italian cookies, cheesecake and cannolis (so I might forego a cake altogether)- all for $55 per person.

 

I also tried to dissuade my friends and family from throwing me a bridal shower because my fiance and I already live together. My maid of honor told me I was being ungracious and she has been fighting me tooth and nail so I said- do whatever you want. I was just trying to be considerate and save my bridal party and mother some money. We were able to secure a location with a brunch option- bagels, croissants, muffins, scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, homefries, one vegetable selection, one chicken, one pasta, coffee & tea, juice, white wine, screwdrivers, mimosas, bloody Mary's and cake- $25 per person. We thought to use this location for the AHR because it would have cut the bill in half but a DJ with a percussionist just did not mix with breakfast.

 

Anyone in the 5 boroughs of NYC looking for inexpensive AHR options and willing to have them in the Bronx- I now have established a bunch of connects (I also do prom for my high school so they know me in that regard) and I can help with suggestions & prices...oh yea- I'm an expert now lol