I'm having a 3 hour cocktail party (open bar, passed and stationary hors' d'oeuvres), cake and coffee, with a jazz band, in either a historic brownstone mansion or a restaurant (still undecided) for 75 people.
Is anyone else not having a full dinner reception in a catering-only facility? I think I'm the only one!
danigirl0
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
you are doing what i wanted to do, but the rest of the poeple 'involved' didnt agree. im ok with it the other way, but what youre doing is great!
HearzBellz
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
We were originally considering having a 'non-traditional' but we are planning & paying ourselves & it seemed a bit overwhelming for us, so we went with the 'traditional' route, against my original decision.
cluelessbride
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
FH and I have very dysfunctional families, and we thought this would be the best way to keep everyone in check (no special dances, no announcements).
But the reaction we get from some family members is as if this is worse then eloping. It's like they won't know how to act a wedding that doesn't follow the normal routine.
Ahhh well, at least our friends are excited
HearzBellz
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
AMEN TO THAT!! Trust me, you will never please everybody else.... it's your day-please yourselves!
sophie78
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
I originally thought I wanted a cocktail reception, but it seems that the second you become engaged you become entangled in the hoopla of a wedding!
Also everyone involved (i.e., relatives) felt that everyone wants FOOD! And I think they are right. It is hard to satisfy 200 food obsessed italians with a couple of pigs in a blanket! :)
The other reason why I ultimately decided against it was because it did not seem much cheaper than a sit down wedding.
bride082003
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
you are doing EXACTLY what we originally wanted to do but could not find the place that would do it....so it blew up into the whole traditional reception. we are only doing a first dance though, no other dances.
Best of luck to you!!
cluelessbride
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
It's true, it's not that much cheaper. Everything is from a separate place (chair rental, catering, etc.)
I can't wait to just make the choice and set the date!
WithThisRing
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
cluelessbride what you are doing sounds lovely. everyone will have a great time.
Some days FI and I think we should have just had this in his mothers backyard (she has 3 acres in the pocono's)
Everything sounds great and as long as you are happy that is all that matters
HearzBellz
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
Well good luck & if it is what you want that is all that really matters in the end
jessnjoey
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
I'm so happy to hear I'm not the only nontraditional out there!!! We're having a Friday afternoon on the beach, 50 people...2 hour cocktail stations then a hour of sorbe and cake. No BP all natural sticks(curly willowfor our arch) and bright flowers, jazz trio for conversational music!!! I agree it's our day..whatever makes you happy!
wenndypoo
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
I love the idea of a non-traditional ceremony, but my traditional FI did not! I give you guys credit for doing what you want for your wedding. I think a cocktail reception sounds fabulous! I would love to go to something like that, it would be a nice change from the typical wedding! The beach wedding also sounds fantastic! I think they are both great ideas. Like everyone says, it has to be what you want.
Sounds great to me though
atlastbride
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
I think your idea sounds wonderful. It's similar to what FH and I wanted. However, as time went on and families kept asking, well since you're not having a traditional wedding, can you at least do this and that, it has suddently become more than we had originally anticipated. Still nice, but more than we had desired.
Our families are very dysfunctional too. We are doing our first dance and that is all. My dad is a chain smoker and a bundle of nerves around people. Our reception will be on a yacht and without a cigarette, dear dad will be ready to leap without the added stress of a dance with his daughter in the spotlight. I won't do that to him. My FH's mom is such a weirdo, it's hard to tell what song she would choose to dance to with him, I shudder to think about it - 'Endless Love'. EEWWWWW!
Best wishes for your day. It sounds lovely.
Sage10.03
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
I guess you could say that mine is not traditional.... we are having out wedding in a 14th century villa in italy....
Your idea sounds wonderful to me....I am not traditional at all!
julybride444
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
Can I come? It sounds like such a classy, fun affair! Once everyone comes and sees what a good time they have, they'll get over it and think you're so creative! Just close your ears for now.
kelly6273
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
My sister went to a wedding in Manhattan on Saturday (not sure where) that was also just cocktails and hors' d'oeuvres. She said it was amazing. The couple got married in the same room that the reception took place. The invite said that the wedding was at 7...so they got there at 7 and drinks were served for about an hour before the ceremony, this way, no one was late. She said it was awesome!!!
Sandy&Ben
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
i am having a cocktail reception as well..... passed HDs, stations, etc. i have been to soo many traditional sit-down dinners where everyone says 'i wish the cocktail hour would last all night'.... so i decided to do it. i'm very excited about it!
cluelessbride
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
Sandy & Ben and JessandJoey - tell me more about your wedding plans!
Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm. My FH comes from a family that usually has very big weddings in catering halls, so it has been a challenge to withstand their judgement.
kelly6273
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
Mine is also food stations, served for as long as we want. We got to pick what types of food that we wanted at each station so we are doing American (Hot Dogs, Hamburgers....I'M KIDDING!!!) which will have Turkey/Roast Beef Carving Stations, etc., an Italian Station which will cover the pasta/seafood and a German Station (FH is German and my Irish family happens to love German food also). I am also very excited about it. I think people feel more relaxed this way.
kelly6273
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Re: Anyone else not having a 'traditional' reception?
cluelessbride...where is your reception?
SORRY...Nevermind, I just went back and read that you don't know where yet...OOOPPPSSS! I guess I'm the clueless one this time!!!
