How important is reception length to YOU and YOUR PARTNER?

[megthomson]

Hey all! I wasn't quite sure where this topic would go, so I will likely post in another thread as well. My fiancé and I are currently discussing the length that we would like for our reception (ie length of liquor and dj/music services). We would like a private area either poolside et cetera. However it seems like most packages include only three hours of service. This usually brings people to 10:30 PM. Then everything comes down in terms of reception set up. In my opinion it seems like people would definitely want to party way past 1030. What is your opinion about how important a longer reception is? Do many of you plan to go to the resort club to party after 1030? Or will you be extending the reception because you really want more time alone with your reception party? I've heard that some resorts have some great clubs which could be an option if we could get a large group in. I'd love to get some feedback on this. I don't know a whole lot of people who have done DW's so it's great to see what other couples prioritize with regards to reception! - Katie xo

Our cocktail hour is from 6-7 and then reception 7-10. Afterwards people can continue at a club to go dancing some more.

[REP]

three hours is good for me

[Make2dayAmazing]

We are going to go with the 3 hour reception included in our package, then head to the lobby or disco for those who still want to party the night away

[TinkerSofi]

the hotel we've chosen so far only offers 3 hours but we are planning to pay for an extra hour. I believe it's about $15/pp extra for the hour. At least for me the dancing at a wedding is the most important part of the reception (this is something we've had to compromise with FH). I don't want to be rushed and I want to be able put my own music. Then we're also going out with whoever wants to join us! 

[kellisbaby]

Do people ever plan... nothing?  I am a cheapskate and wondering if I can get away with an ipod/speaker for our first dance and then just hang out with our guests and have fun.  After the alloted "reception" ends, WE go find some fun.  I've heard Monday nights is Dominican Republic night at our Resort (Excellence Punta Cana) and I'm hoping we can just crash that arty and I can save a ton of money.

 

Thoughts???

[TinkerSofi]

Do people ever plan... nothing?  I am a cheapskate and wondering if I can get away with an ipod/speaker for our first dance and then just hang out with our guests and have fun.  After the alloted "reception" ends, WE go find some fun.  I've heard Monday nights is Dominican Republic night at our Resort (Excellence Punta Cana) and I'm hoping we can just crash that arty and I can save a ton of money.

 

Thoughts???

 

Yeah we're going with the Ipod and not getting a DJ. I find that 3 hours is really little time to get everything done. Mind you we're latin and dancing is #1 priority at weddings. It's basically a lame wedding if you have little or no dancing. We can't really pay for more than one extra hour of reception so we'll just go and party somewhere else and for those who want to stay at the hotel after the wedding that's fine too. 

[malyna]

I think if the wedding was in the states, the reception time is really important but at a resort it would be easy to gather everyone and just say "let's meet up at the nightclub afterwards"

[1BeachBride]

Doing dinner/reception then havingg a beach after party for 2 hours. It will be late so our parents & older guests will prob crash. Younger guests will join us in the club/lounge/bar for more fun. We like to PARTY hard.

[MrsSheppardToBe]

I'm doing a 3-hour private reception from 7-10pm.  Dinner/Speeches will be from 7-8:30, and dancing until 10pm.

[tygrrlily]

We're planning on extending ours for 3 hours haha. Ours comes with 3 hours (1 hour cocktail, 2 hour reception), but that's way too short for us. Our friends love to dance too, and we want our wedding to be a blast. We're only allowed to go to 11, so I can see us heading somewhere after that even, but we want to have a solid 5 hour reception so we can do dinner and toasts, but still have a lot of time to dance

Doing dinner/reception then havingg a beach after party for 2 hours. It will be late so our parents & older guests will prob crash. Younger guests will join us in the club/lounge/bar for more fun. We like to PARTY hard.

 

a beach after party sounds incredibly awesome! Did you have to pay a lot extra for that? set up fees and such?

Edited May 20, 2014 by tygrrlily