Welcome Party/cocktails?

[danielleandryan2015]

We are getting married next year at RIU Palace Tropical Bay in Negril, which is an all inclusive resort. Our guests will be flying in on a Saturday and our wedding will be Monday. I'm thinking about having a welcome party  or cocktail hour or activity planned for Sunday. Its my understanding that the resort won't hand out the OOT bags and I thought it would be nice to have a little welcome party to give them their bags, thank them in person for coming, and let them mingle and get to know the other guests.( Most of the people will already be familiar with each other, but there are some who will not). Is anyone else doing this? I'm not sure how to go about it since its an all inclusive place. We can't really reserve a restaurant or anything. There is a very nice and open bar area in the lobby I was thinking of just having everyone meet us there around 11ish and we can have bloody Marys and hand out bags, socialize. Or do you think I should have some type of activity planned for us do to?

Any ideas are welcome!

I also thought of reserving a catamaran for a few hours following and we would pay for the wedding party and make it optional for the other guests. Or is that a bad idea?

[jackshayne0123]

Hello! I think a welcome dinner, brunch, meet and greet, whatever you like, is a fabulous idea! We did a welcome dinner the first night everyone was there, we asked everyone to meet at the main buffet at 6pm for dinner, we had tables reserved for us (my lovely bridesmaids asked the servers if this could be arranged). This worked out really well, we all sat together, people introduced themselves and got to see who was a part of our group. We did a quick hello, thank you, we passed out our OOT bags, I handed out my bridesmaids gifts, and we also sang Happy Birthday to my husband's Aunt. (much to her embarrasment) heehee Then we had dinner, drinks, everyone socialized, it was a great low key dinner! It worked out really well

 

We also arranged a catamaran sunset dinner cruise for our guests, this was optional as some people didn't want to go, had other tours booked, got sea sick, etc. We had about 20 of our 45 guests come and we had a blast! I think it's really nice to offer a group excursion if you can, I think it's a great idea, but it's not necessary. Do what you want, and what fits for your group! Have fun!

[DWBride2015]

That's a good idea

[Meandhim]

I think that's a great idea I was thinking of doing the same thing!

 

 

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[TammyWright]

Many of us do a cocktail hour or cocktail welcome dinner.

 

The wedding department can help you with this.

 

I did a welcome party that was followed by a casino night.  it was a great way for everyone to get to know each other.

[danielleandryan2015]

Thanks for the responses! I think it will work out. I am just trying to figure out if the bar area is a good place to have it like after breakfast and then do a catamaran in the afternoon, or maybe an evening cruise.

[jackielemman]

Good idea!

[loquaciouspunky]

Thanks for the responses! I think it will work out. I am just trying to figure out if the bar area is a good place to have it like after breakfast and then do a catamaran in the afternoon, or maybe an evening cruise.

@danielleandryan2015  who are you looking to book your catamaran/evening cruise with?

[danielleandryan2015]

@@loquaciouspunky I haven't really looked into it yet. I figured I will ask the resort for ideas on that before we go so we can have something in the books. I know there are a few companies that do them, but I think we can get a better rate for a group than just the individual rate per person. I may have to bargain a bit before I decide!

[FutureMrsGlover]

Great ideas!