Weddingbee boards

How did it go over with everyone? Did you have any regrets? Was the cost just too overwhelming that you scrapped the whole idea?

I'm gettinng married in Mexico, because most of my blood relatives are there (however all of my friends are in Seattle plus my dad's side that consists of about 10 people, and FI's side, which he's not close to) and we kinda already announced we'd be doing a reception here when we get back. I'm trying to look at venues and just keep it low-key and informal...we are having white glove service/formal reception down in mexico..so I'm thinking for up here, I'd still get a decent venue, but I'd go DIY on the decor, do a buffet, still have a DJ and just tell people to come and have fun, don't worry about dressing up too much.

I'm just worried people will be like whatever...you guys are already married...what's to celebrate? Also, my worst fear is no one shows up to either event..and I don't get oen single gift! lol. Not that that's what's important but I've kinda been under the radar in my family and I guess I just relished the day things could be about me...even just for one day. =) Plus, no one needs kitchen supplies more than me. I still only have everything I moved out with as a single girl....which is alot of nothing.

We got married down in Mexico and each of our parents did/will throw a casual reception at home. My whole family is in Connecticut, DH's in the Midwest, so the parents did their own thing.

My parents wanted to have something for my large family. They rented a beach clubhouse for the venue (wasn't too expensive). One of my mother's friends is a caterer so she did all the food. Another of my mom's friends is a pastry chef so she made the cake. And my brother is a beverage buyer at a restaurant so he got all the alcohol. My mom was going to hire a DJ but I told her I didn't want one. We just used an iPod for music. 

It was more like a party than a wedding, which is what we wanted. I just wanted a chance to celebrate with everyone (had about 50 guests). Overall I'd say it cost less than $1,000 to put on (DH and I offered to help with expenses but my parents refused).

DH's parents are having their family over their house to celebrate. It will be very casual, kind of like a cookout. We were supposed to have it Labor Day weekend but had a family emergency so it will be at the end of October. 

Neither DH nor I are into formal affairs (our wedding in Mexico was pretty casual) so these parties were perfect for us. 

As for the gifts, everyone who attended gave a gift. My family doesn't do registries for weddings, they just give money, so that was a nice bonus of having the party. 

Our firends did...They got married in Vegas and ahd a reception a few months after they got back in WI. I thought that was perfectly ok. They just had the reception in his parent's backyard. We were thinking of doing something similar. It's just sooooo easy that way.

@SuperKate: Yeah, that sounds real nice. I'm hoping I can find a venue for a real good price. I don't have any close friend catorers but I think I may have a friend of a friend who does catering, and hadn't even though of that. I am having a brother of one of my bridesmaids dj, but haven't figured out exactly what he'll charge me so I just recently emailed him for his price and kinda suggested he go easy on me becuase I will be comparing his price to others. I guess I won't get too official until I figure out the cost of it all. If I can keep it simple I'll probably just go for it. I really don't want it to turn out to be wedding part II...for my own sanity and my parents sake. I'm pretty sure we would have a good turnout here...just worried people would be ungrateful and have a lousy time or think I'm being austentatious.

@Carolyn72: that's too bad..yeah, that's my worst fear. sorry ur reception turned out like that. I guess I'd better not throw too much money at it because it's always a risk it could turn out to be a flop.

Yes, I am having a destination wedding in St. Thomas and about a month after we return home we will have a casual reception here in Seattle with our family and friends that were not able to attend the DW. Our at home reception is going to be casual, we will have a slideshow of our wedding, hire a DJ, have catered food and cake. We really want it to be laid back and not super stressful. We also have family offer to chip in and help with the at home reception.

@MrsWilson2012: Yeah, I'm hoping for something similar. I'm in the Seattle area too. Did you see very man reasonable privced venues? I went to the tacoma dome last weekend for the wedding expo, alot of venues were spouting free room rental, but God knows what they will charge for catering, setup and what kind of restrictions. I've even called a couple of those places we found at the wedding expo and NONE of them have called me back!!! oh hell.

@fresitachulita: I went to the Expo a couple weeks ago that was held in Seattle down by the Key Arena. We talked to a caterer there that offered a very reasonable price for catering and is super flexible with all budgets. He is definitely my top pick. As far as a venue for the at home reception we are still looking. We dont want to spend a TON on the venue. One of the places that we looked at that was very reasonable was the Mt. Baker Community Club. Have you checked that place out yet? The pricing is good, we would have to decorate a bit but its a nice casual place. Check it out:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mt-baker-community-club-seattle

Since the wedding expo i have been getting non stop e-mails from vendors. We are still deciding on if we want to hire a photographer for the event or not. Are you guys going to hire one?

@fresitachulita:

@MrsWilson2012: Ooops, I meant did you find very many resonably priced venues in seattle. Having typing trouble today. =)

@fresitachulita: For the Seattle area most of the venues were about $1500-$2000 and required use of their cateres etc. There were some like community center type places like the Mt. Baker place, but I as not very impressed. We are still on the hunt though!

@MrsWilson2012: Yeah, us too. wer're even checking the Tacoma area because we're in between. 

@fresitachulita: Same here, we are in Kent so right in between Seattle & Tacoma. We haven't went to any Tacoma venues but I have seen some online. Did you find any reasonable priced ones there?

I'm told the Liberty Theatre in Puyallup is real nice (a friend of mine went to a wedding there) and very resonably priced, I think it was about 5k and included food and setup, so I plan on looking at that one if they ever call me back. Also, I reallllyy wanna look at the Temple Theatre in Tacoma which has multiple banquet rooms and a fantastic view, I dont' have a price on that one yet. Still waiting for them to call me back. I'm in Fife so closer to Tacoma. I'm gonna keep searchin'.

@fresitachulita:

@MrsWilson2012: Not that 5k is cheap but it apparently the liberty theatre includes a buffett for up to 200 people , setup and decor, so that might not be a bad deal....but I dunno. I'm just starting to get a feel for the prices. I'm still hoping I can do better than 5K.

@fresitachulita: I havent looked into the Liberty Theatre but I will be sure to check it out. The all inclusive aspect seems nice. We checked out Blue Ribbon cooking school which does all inclusive weddings, but when we went to check out the place in person we were not impressed at all. We are checking out the Uptown Hideway in Seattle, next week, I will let you know how that goes!

Thanks everyone..I'm getting the sense that informal and laid back is the way to go as to not appear to be too over the top, when you already had your special day...but still wanting to celebrate with those who simply couldn't make it.

@mrs.wilson2012: Please repost if you find any good deals in the seattle-tacoma area...and I will do the same! THANKS!!! =)