Hosting a post-wedding reception at home
Whether you chose to have an intimate destination wedding or just want to extend the celebration once you return home, a post-wedding reception is a great option to get together with those unable to attend the big day. These receptions can be as intimate, formal, grand or casual as you’d like. Some couples opt for a laid-back party at home, while others prefer a formal, elaborate evening. Plan to include a note about the post-wedding reception along with your wedding invite, so that guests unable to attend can look forward to the post-wedding party.
Alternatives to a traditional wedding reception
It goes without saying that when guests make the trek for your destination wedding, they will expect some sort of reception following the ceremony. Still, there are no hard and fast rules requiring that you stick to the resort’s reception layout or hold a formal sit down dinner. After all, half the fun of a destination wedding is in showcasing and playing up the destination’s unique culture and beautiful landscape. Some great ways to escape the destination reception rut and get your guests bonding include catamaran dinner cruises, build-your-own-taco bars, beachside barbeques and food and wine pairing themes. For those loved ones who weren’t able to make the trip, ask your wedding coordinator if you can set up a live stream of your celebration so they can feel a part of the festivities!
Creating a destination wedding menu
One of the first questions many couples have after booking their wedding is: what about the food? Choosing a few staple crowd-pleasers is always the safest option, however adding in some local, exotic flair can also be fun (and provides great foodie photos for Instagram!) Don’t be afraid to embrace the culture you’re in and try some new cuisine…you may go home with a new favorite dish! It’s also polite to keep common allergy-producing foods off the menu whenever possible. If you have guests with specific dietary restrictions, make sure you communicate with the chef onsite to create accommodating menu items. Whether it’s vegetarian or gluten-free, they’re sure to have the perfect recipe!