Reception at home after destination wedding

[missann1981]

We are in the very early stages of wedding planning and are considering the Riviera Maya area in Mexico. We were going in May to scope out locations.

For those of you that are having a destination wedding, are you having a reception at home when you get back? We are having a great debate on whether to rent a reception hall and have a reception as if we were getting married at home, or have an open house type of reception at a family members house. Also, we are not sure whether to have a formal dinner or just drinks and appetiziers.

Does anyone have any ideas for me? We'd like to keep costs low but are willing to spend 5-6k on the reception.

Thanks everyone in advance.

[steelcutter2003eeda]

Well I am not having a dw wedding, but still the same we are having a very imformal backyard BBQ reception at either our house or the park. I just want to have fun and party, I don't want to worry about all the formalities.

[Ryjaxs19eded]

It all depends on what you kind of style you want. I am always in favor of an open house sort of thing. Ecspecially since you are having a DW (I am planning a DW in the Riviera Maya as well), Unless you have a good chunk of chyange to spare on the AHR than I would sugest keeping it low maintaince and low stress!

[bellavista]

My FH and I want to do something casual but also aren't to sure what.We're considering a BBQ at the club house were we live.

[AlmostMrsJones]

We're having a destination wedding, and a few months later we're having a brunch reception at home for those with kids, etc., because we're only taking 8 others to Costa Rica with us. How formal really depends on you--if we lived in a condo or an apartment, we would use a clubhouse, but we have a house so we're going to either do a tent in a park or use the caterer's restaurant (a friend).

[janet.weigelcfaf]

We just got finished with all of our festivites! We had a Disney wedding on the 4th and then ***e home to a reception at home on the 9th. It was a whirlwind, but it was great! I felt like I was pakcing around tons of wedding clothes all week, but it was worth every minute!

[sczarnecki_1eefe]

We are having our wedding in Riveria Maya on March 1st at the Grand Palladium. If you are very serious you really should contact the resorts for dates asap as they fill up very quickly.

We are having a reception back at home with a hall and hor devours and drinks and DJ...no dinner. We considered the outdoor nice BBQ idea too but didn't want to inconvenience any family to have it at their house and didn't want to do a park but they are both good options...but check out the costs for a backyard BBQ..I did and it was just as pricey as having a hall and DJ and the hor devours and cocktails in a lot of cases. Congratulations everyone!

[AlmostMrsJones]

I think the best part of the whole deal is getting to wear the dress twice!!

[vsbarildcdb]

My Daughter got Married in Aruba,Dec 15th and they are planning a reception outdoors in a park, so if there are alot of kids they have plenty to do. They are having like a backyard bbq, and a band later. The cost of food will be minimal, kids have fun, and they are lucky they know the band and get a freebie. But check all your options, you don't need to wine and dine all the guests, just make it a fun family gathering. If you don't have a dj, or band, you can always set up and ipod (in a docking station) and play all your favorite tunes! keep it simple and just have fun. I have even been to one where people bring dishes to pass, to cut on the cost(depending on how many people)No need to put on a big show, of course unless you want to. just some suggestions, but have fun with, even make it a theme if it's in the summer!

[krazy_gurl1420bafe]

Hey, I am getting Married at the Iberiosat pariaso lindo on May 14th. But before we go we are have a party at a family members house out on the lake. We aregoing to have a beach themed party and I am going to have my wedding cake there. It's not a formal thing but its not just jeans and a t-shirt either. But we are doing that on April 28th and I am also having a shower on March 31 and a bachelorette party on May 7th. So thats how I am doing it if you need any ideas or have questions.