Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 09:10     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
Anonymous wrote:We had one..I don't know why people are saying it's weird. I've been to many. Nice for out of town guests and an opportunity for the bride and groom and family to talk to people with less chaos than the wedding.

We had the bar free for 2 hours and then it was self-pay for people who wanted to keep handing out and linger. We had apps and then hot food out the whole time..non alcoholic beverages free the whole time as well.


I like this idea. Well done
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:36     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
This is normal for out of town weddings. Absolutely no to drink tickets, and yes you should have heavy appetizers.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:24     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
We had one..I don't know why people are saying it's weird. I've been to many. Nice for out of town guests and an opportunity for the bride and groom and family to talk to people with less chaos than the wedding.

We had the bar free for 2 hours and then it was self-pay for people who wanted to keep handing out and linger. We had apps and then hot food out the whole time..non alcoholic beverages free the whole time as well.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:24     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
If you’re also doing a rehearsal dinner and don’t want to blend the two crowds do something simple like cocktails and canapés. Soda beer wine and maybe one mixed drink. Do it as a hosted bar no drink tickets. Hold it at 5:30-7:00 and then go off to your rehearsal dinner
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:21     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is a welcome party?
It's a get together the evening before the actual wedding to kick off the weekend and specifically welcome out of town guests.

I've never heard of this. Some people include out of town guests in the rehearsal dinner, or have gift bags at the hotel or something. This sounds different.


We are at the age when many of our friends' kids are getting married. Welcome parties seem to be a relatively new thing. They are different than the rehearsal dinner because all guests are invited. The few that we have attended have been at a brewery or hotel bar and have been a couple hours in length.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:20     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
Don't do tickets. I have been to welcome parties for out of town weddings and they had small bites and refreshments but these were in places with bars so people could buy alcohol if they wanted
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:19     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
Anonymous wrote:I think tickets are a bad idea. Maybe just do a champagne toast or limit to beer/cider/wine. I think passed rather than set out is better for food and easier to serve less of it that way without having it look paltry.


Agree . . . a big NO to tickets. That's just tacky.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:17     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
I think tickets are a bad idea. Maybe just do a champagne toast or limit to beer/cider/wine. I think passed rather than set out is better for food and easier to serve less of it that way without having it look paltry.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:13     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
I have been to welcome parties where the bride just tells everyone what had to go to.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:11     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
I'd keep it simple. Set out appetizers, put some nice flower arrangements out, and keep alcohol limited to wine or beer as choices. I would not expect guests to pay for anything, but you also need not offer a full bar for hours on end. Set a specific time frame for the event so that it has a defined ending . . . if guests linger, then they are on their own.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:08     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is a welcome party?
It's a get together the evening before the actual wedding to kick off the weekend and specifically welcome out of town guests.

I've never heard of this. Some people include out of town guests in the rehearsal dinner, or have gift bags at the hotel or something. This sounds different.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:04     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
Is this the same as rehearsal dinner the night before?
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:03     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
Anonymous wrote:What is a welcome party?
It's a get together the evening before the actual wedding to kick off the weekend and specifically welcome out of town guests.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 08:00     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
What is a welcome party?
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2026 07:54     Subject: Hosting a welcome party for daughter's wedding
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.