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VIP June 2020

Etiquette for a Welcome Lunch

Kristen, on May 1, 2019 at 11:48 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 4

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So, since my rehearsal is the morning of my wedding, I decided I did not want to do a RD. However, I've been wanting to have some sort of pre-wedding event that would obviously be optional for guests. Most recently I have been thinking of a lunch the day before, somewhere near the area my guests would be staying in.

If I were to have a welcome lunch, is that something that could be treated as optional, where guests pay? We just don't have enough money to cover a meal for all of our guests especially with majority of them being OOT. Also, is this something I would have to invite all guests to? I may struggle to find somewhere to host this if i've got to invite 100+ people. I'm fine paying to rent a place or reserve a restaurant but not to pay for everyone's meals.

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4 Comments

Latest activity by MrsD, on May 1, 2019 at 4:48 PM

Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on May 1, 2019 at 12:07 PM
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This sounds like it’s teetering the border of a hosted event since you’re paying to rent a space. I would be careful here. The only good way to “invite” your guests to an event that you’re not paying for would be to send out a text or call people a day or two before the lunch and say “we’re having lunch at xyz restaurant at noon on Friday, you’re welcome to join.”
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VIP May 2019
Mandy · on May 1, 2019 at 12:07 PM
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Rehearsal dinner is usually just for the wedding party, spouses, parents, and the officiant. I'm not sure why you'd want to invite 100+ people to a luncheon when they'd be attending your wedding the next day. If you host an event/dinner/lunch then yes, I'd say you should be responsible for picking up the tab.
What about doing a small afternoon get together instead with meat/cheese, veggies, fruits, snacks instead of a meal? And limit your guests.. You have a year to save money for this though. You could make it happen. Rehearsal dinner/lunch could just be the above mentioned eating some cheap pizza somewhere.
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VIP July 2019
Summerbride77 · on May 1, 2019 at 12:40 PM
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We decided to do a fully hosted welcome party, but we were fortunate enough to have budget to pay for it. Are you out of town guests generally staying at hotel or is there a location nearby? I would just let your guests know where you will be from x to x time and let people wonder through and say hello to you. You can just spread this by word of month.m, an informal note in the welcome bag (if you’re doing welcome bags), or even an email.
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on May 1, 2019 at 4:48 PM
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We are including on our website & welcome pamphlets with the schedule a blurb that says "8 PM Marriott Hotel Bar - come say hi to the bride & groom! We will be in the hotel bar hanging out for a little if you want to come say hi before the big day!" for our out of town guests. Our RD is 70 people so we can't include all OOT guests, it would be another 60 people.
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