I need other wedding reception ideas?

Question

ok soooo i had everything finally all planned out & my fiance goes and tells me we should do something else. we are having to save so much money to put on a reception that we can barely breathe!! we can never go to ANYHING ever! right now we are going to have 100 guest at a restuarant banquet hall. we were going to serve o'hdurves and non-alcohlic drinks. we would pass out one "signature cocktail" at the toast. i havent been married before and my fiance has. so this is more important to me.but im open to ideas. what is another less expensive way to celebrate our marriage ( we are getting married in jamaica the week before) and me not feel cheated out of a reception? we are getting married in november.

Answer 1

Hey hun

First of all i think your non alcoholic beverage with the h'ordurves is a great idea, you don’t want people getting wasted too quick on your day !!! How much is the cocktails costing you for your toast ? is it more expensive than a bottle of wine per table or cheaper ? if it's cheaper i would go for the wine in my experience men are not keen on cocktails any way.... (they are fussy buggers) or give the ladies cocktails and give the men pints ??? you may save some ££ this way...

I am getting married abroad and having a reception like you too when we get home, even though it's in a big posh hotel i have left it very informal and there will be no toasts or speeches because same as you we just can't afford extra's.

So how about this, if you cant cut costs no where, it's a cheap idea that will have maximum effect (and i bet hubby didn't have it at his 1st wedding lol) i was thinking about doing this when we get married (in Kenya) but i think it's great for a reception too.

http://www.weddingarcade.com/sky-lantern...

I would wait till after the speeches and then ask people to follow you outside you and your hubby light 1 each or if you can afford it both your mums too and set them away to float into the night, i personally think it's a beautiful and original idea. Hope you do too.

Hope your wedding and reception goes with out a hitch hun x

Answer 2

www.2miles.org

Answer 3

well you can do a less formal day at a home or park with a BBQ or picnic.  You can even ask guests to bring a dish if you wanted.  

the nice banquet hall with apps and drinks and a cake but not at a meal time and be clear on the invite its refreshments only

cut the guest list where you can

skip the signature cocktail and do champagne, it may be cheaper

sheet cake instead of fancy 3 tier

Answer 4

Well, it really depends on what the budget is.

I find that Restaurant Banquet Halls are lots more expensive than hiring a community hall - and that way you don't need to worry about the amount of guests because you can actually hire a caterer to do your o'hdurves for you - at a fraction of the price.  

You could also then buy drinks in bulk (cartons of beer and wine/champange, juice and softdrink) and hire a bar attendant for the night

Answer 5

First thing to remember is that this is your celebration, do what makes you and your groom happy. Maybe you can find a less expensive hall, toast with sparkling cider or do not serve hours derves.

My groom and I are on a very tight budget. This is my second marriage so I knew exactly what I could not do without. If your location is too expensive try your local VFW (I am getting a hall 9am -2am with bartender AND security gaurd to watch our cars for $450 because my brother is a veteran, $680 was the price for nonmembers [veterans]) There are options out there! Decide how much you can spend on this and don't give up!

Seriously don't worry about weather your serving alcohol or not or silly things that people tell you you have to spend your money on... if you realy want people to be able to drink have a cash bar. Your true friends will not care and will be there to celebrate with you anyway! (and they will drink less and be less likely to get sloppy drunk and cause a scene,) Just make sure you put cash bar on the invites

Good Luck and Congrats!

Answer 6

It is considered rude to have a wedding and offer your guests something to drink that's an adult beverage.  I am by no means talking about a full bar... but beer and wine should be within the budget or you should limit your guest count.

   If you must have 100- I would do something in someones backyard.  Rent a tent, some tables, and have a DIY BBQ.  You could even hire someone to cook the meat of your choice... prepare some side dishes, get a few kegs of beer, and an IPOD for music with an awesome playlist.

  Granted, it's not a hall wedding- but can be ever nicer and more personal.

Answer 7

Shop around - Hire a marquee for cheap and have the reception at somebody's house.

Chop and change the guest list.

If you're having flowers, make them yourself

Shop around for the cake as well. I emailed about 10 cake making places for my wedding for a quote for one cake, and the responses came back between $700 and $250 for the same thing

Have a wishing well at your reception, instead of presents

Buy your dress off ebay! I know it sounds cheap, but there are unbelievably nice dresses on there for less that $200. I have spoken to people who have bought off there, and they have had no problems with the dresses.

I know how expensive weddings are, especially when you have kids. Good luck!

Answer 8

Well, you can lose the "signature cocktail" for your toast, and just use regular non-alcoholic drinks.  You don't have to have alcohol to toast with.  Or just have a bottle of champagne for you and your groom.  You can cut your guest list--that and cutting food and drink are usually the biggest expenses--it's going to cost you 1/2 as much to feed 1/2 the number of people.  

However, you and your fiance need to come to an agreement on this.  It sounds like you're feeling as though he's being very controlling with your finances--this is a red flag.  The number 1 reason people divorce is disputes over money and the family finances.  Get these issues resolved BEFORE you walk down the aisle.  Marriage is all about compromise, and it sounds like you and he need to do a little of it here.  

Good luck.

Answer 9

Have a buffet reception right after lunch, say around 1 or 2 PM, that way you can have just lots of finger foods handy.  Tiny sandwiches, cheeses and crackers, all kinds of cut up veggies and fruit with different dips.  Have your cake and punch.  You can have sparkling cider for the toast.  All that alone will save you a bundle.  And don't forget you can make your favors, that will save a lot too.  This is your wedding, and you plan it, your fiance shouldn't sway you too much, but it sounds like you both are paying for it.  (Aren't your parents helping???)  But these tips should save you a LOT.