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Kat
Dedicated May 2017

No reception "destination" wedding??

Kat, on February 1, 2016 at 11:14 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 22

I don't mean, like, nothing after the ceremony, everyone just goes home, but as a few of you know, I've recently ditched the idea of a huge, local wedding, and started to plan for my Portland, Maine wedding at Portland Head Light. That being said, I'm only inviting about 25 people which are close friends and family. So it will be very small and intimate. I don't really see the point in renting out a huge venue, and getting a DJ, or doing the whole dances, etc. That being said, the restaurant they have there called Dimillo's is beautiful. They do wedding receptions, but again, I don't see the point for a huge 5 hour wedding reception. I was considering asking if we could just be put in one of their private rooms, and have nothing but dinner that would be paid for by my fiance and myself. A little bit more about Dimillo's, it's a huge boat that sits on the water, and that's the restaurant. Is this alright etiquette wise? Or should i just book the 5 hour reception? Cont. in comments.



22 Comments

Latest activity by Kat, on February 2, 2016 at 9:42 AM
  • Katrina Rose
    VIP October 2016
    Katrina Rose ·
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    We recently attended a wedding in Portland and they had their rehearsal at Dimillos. I think Dimillos could be perfect for your dinner and the private rooms are gorgeous. The food is absolutely amazing! Sounds like an awesome choice for sure!

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  • Kat
    Dedicated May 2017
    Kat ·
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    The one thing about the reception I don't like, is the dinner menu. It's a seafood restaurant, but the only seafood they have an option for the reception is Stuffed Lobster Tail. That's one of the main reasons I'm leaning towards just having a dinner, instead of the long reception, because the most expensive thing on the menu is less expensive than the cost of the food per person for the reception, and there is more variety so I know everyone will be able to eat something they like. Thoughts, advice?

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  • Kelli
    Master September 2015
    Kelli ·
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    Just having a dinner for 25 sounds lovely! You can still have toasts and have cake if you want.

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  • Kat
    Dedicated May 2017
    Kat ·
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    Oh. Well I looked again and somehow I missed SALMON and haddock lol. But I still like the idea of just a small, intimate dinner. It seems soooo romantic.

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  • MrsRivera
    VIP February 2016
    MrsRivera ·
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    Our wedding is 32 guests. We're having a ceremony at an art gallery and then walking down the street to have a dinner reception at a restaurant. No DJ, no dancing, just a private room with dinner, alcohol, our family and friends, and of course cake!

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  • Kat
    Dedicated May 2017
    Kat ·
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    I guess the only downside to a destination wedding is not being able to do a hair trial. I'll be able to do my own makeup, but the hair? I cannot do hair to save my life. I guess i'll just have to trust the reviews on here Smiley smile

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  • Katrina Rose
    VIP October 2016
    Katrina Rose ·
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    @Kat - my friend who got married in Portland used CoCo Cheveux for herself and bridesmaids. Their hair and makeup was beautiful!

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  • FutureMrsM
    Super July 2018
    FutureMrsM ·
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    A dinner reception sounds perfectly fine. Especially on a boat. I can only imagine the view during dinner

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  • Kat
    Dedicated May 2017
    Kat ·
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    Thank you Katrina! I'll look her up!

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  • Elizabeth
    Master December 2016
    Elizabeth ·
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    OMG I'm so excited for your wedding and can't wait to see the photos. I LOVE the Portland Head Light. I have a painting of the lighthouse during a summer storm hanging in my guest room. So beautiful.

    Your idea of a reception at Dimillo's sounds lovely.

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  • Holly
    VIP July 2016
    Holly ·
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    That is still a reception! There's no minimum length to be considered a reception. You're just having a short dinner reception. It sounds wonderful.

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  • klimberkat
    VIP August 2016
    klimberkat ·
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    Hey Kat (great name btw) I'm from the Portland area, and although I hate seafood, I know lots of people (locals included) love Dimillo's. Do you know where in Ft Williams you're doing the ceremony yet? It's so pretty and there are lots of different places you could set up.

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  • Kat
    Dedicated May 2017
    Kat ·
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    I am thinking of doing it right on this beach. I think it's the beach closest to Goddard Mansion. I think it's the perfect view for the ceremony, as well as photos.


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  • Kat
    Dedicated May 2017
    Kat ·
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    Or maybe the beach on the other side. Doesn't matter to me Smiley smile

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  • MNA
    Master April 2018
    MNA ·
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    This is more or less what we're doing, we just looked specifically for a restaurant that had music and a space for dancing so we didn't have the DJ/reception venue costs. It's also cheaper because we'll only be there 2-3 hours and that'll bring our bar bill down too.

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  • Kaylie
    Master May 2016
    Kaylie ·
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    I LOVE Portland. FH and I are actually going up there in two weeks! I think it's totally fine to just do dinner, as long as you're hosting everything (Food AND alcohol). My cousin did this. There was no dancing, no cake, no other traditions, just a cocktail hour and dinner. The dinner was spread out over a few courses so it took awhile so it didn't feel like a super short night. It was actually much more enjoyable than I expected.

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  • Soon2BMrsB
    VIP October 2016
    Soon2BMrsB ·
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    I think a dinner reception sounds perfect. So long as you and the fiance do pay for it, as the guests should be thanked for attending. It sounds great to me Smiley smile

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  • Kelsey
    VIP December 2016
    Kelsey ·
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    Just dinner sounds great, you do not need to have a full-blown 5 hour dj party, you just have to host your guests as a thank you for coming. Have dinner & maybe cake. the location is gorgeous

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  • E&M
    Master July 2016
    E&M ·
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    Dinner is perfectly fine. It sounds lovely!

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  • BicycleBuiltForTwo
    Master September 2016
    BicycleBuiltForTwo ·
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    This sounds like an awesome idea!

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