Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding

[Anonymous]

I don't understand having a welcome party *after* the rehearsal dinner and serving appetizers from 8-10pm.

Both the rehearsal attendees and the out of town guests will all have had dinner at 6pm or 7pm. So why would anyone want light bites an hour after dinner?

I could see serving sweet treats and fruit. And of course drinks are always enjoyed after dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a welcome party?

I also, have never heard of one.

Aren’t there enough things you actually have to pay for as parents of the bride?

Why take on something that sounds like it was recently trumped up, on social media?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a welcome dinner, but it’s only for the people who flew in from out of town. No, we don’t limit drinks - nobody is getting drunk and making a fool of themselves. It’s a sit down dinner. People order from a menu we’ve arranged with the restaurant.

Why is this necessary for out of town guests?

Things are getting out of hand, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

We did dessert and drinks after the rehearsal dinner, at the same venue. It was a semi-destination wedding so most people were from out of town. Most guests came to the event and it was fun. It also helped that the bride and groom could see people before the wedding so weren't as pressed to make all the rounds at the wedding. We also had a post wedding brunch that more people than expected showed up for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been to welcome dinner/rehearsal dinners typically where it's a mini-reception at a restaurant. Open bar cocktail hour before, then everyone moved to a seated dinner. There are centerpiece flowers, welcome speeches and everyone wears party or cocktail dress. Out of town visitors are invited with the wedding party.

How is this different from the actual wedding reception?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell me about welcome parties that you have attended or hosted. 1) Did you limit drinks? The venue suggested giving each attendee two tickets for drinks and after that it's self pay. 2) Did you bring in decor, if so, what? 3) Did you have appetizers passed or set out? * We are trying to limit the cost and it seems like it could turn into a mini reception.

I've never heard of such a thing. I've been to rehearsal dinners but not a "welcome party." Even for the rehearsal, it was a sit down dinner at a casual place (not fancy), open bar (but that is not necessary, imo), with some table settings and maybe light decor. Nothing big.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been to welcome dinner/rehearsal dinners typically where it's a mini-reception at a restaurant. Open bar cocktail hour before, then everyone moved to a seated dinner. There are centerpiece flowers, welcome speeches and everyone wears party or cocktail dress. Out of town visitors are invited with the wedding party.

How is this different from the actual wedding reception?

It’s hosted by the groom’s parents and reflects their family. They choose the decorations, food and give the speeches. And no dancing/band.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a welcome party?

I also, have never heard of one.

Aren’t there enough things you actually have to pay for as parents of the bride?

Why take on something that sounds like it was recently trumped up, on social media?

Not everything is about social media. We did this 10+ years ago. It's just another chance to get people together since most have arrived in town.

I loved having these events because I got to talk to guests more at the welcome dinner/party and next-day brunch more than my actual wedding and reception. I felt like I really spent time with all the people who traveled for the wedding.