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Savvy May 2023

Pool party reception?

Chelsea, on January 5, 2020 at 10:55 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 21

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My fiancé and I are thinking about having our reception turn into a pool party. We’re trying to keep it informal but tasteful. The ceremony would be informal and then we would want a band playing by the pool. Food would also be informal - there would be some high tables and then tables for everyone to sit, passed apps and family or buffet style food, possibly a few food stations.

I’m a little worried no one will want to go in the pool, my fiancé is positive people will respond to the good time and go in.
The only issue is we are going to have to do this at a hotel with a pool. I’m sure they aren’t going to let us rent out the pool because there will be other hotel guests. I did find a hotel with multiple pools and was thinking maybe they would let us rent one, but it’s doubtful.
Has anyone had a pool party reception? And at a hotel? What was your experience with this?

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21 Comments

Latest activity by Edie, on April 3, 2023 at 2:49 AM

Master September 2019
Sarah · on January 5, 2020 at 10:59 AM
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I don’t think a hotel is going to work for this. There are huge liabilities to electronic equipment (for the band) being anywhere near water and I can’t imagine a hotel is going to be comfortable with that at all. I also don’t see how a hotel could rent out a pool when the pools are all likely listed as amenities to entice guests to stay at their location. The only way I could see a pool party working for a wedding would be in someone’s backyard.
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Devoted October 2020
Stephanie · on January 5, 2020 at 11:06 AM
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I think a pool party sounds fun, but I don’t know if a hotel will allow you to rent a pool. If you got an AirB&B with a pool then maybe that would work?
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Expert November 2022
Megan · on January 5, 2020 at 11:06 AM
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We thought about doing something like this for our beach wedding reception. Look into maybe into a private house for rent?
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on January 5, 2020 at 11:12 AM
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May be difficult at a hotel.

Also I’d say know your crowd for whether or not people would like it. Personally I would be so confused how to dress to something like this... I’d want to dress nice for the wedding, but if I was dressed nicely I wouldn’t want to ruin it by jumping in the pool lol. But that’s just me... you know your guests better than any of us do! Maybe ask some people who you’re close to what their thoughts are on it?
Another issue is alcohol... people tend to drink a lot at weddings and swimming while drunk is pretty dangerous so that’s something to take into account as well.
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VIP September 2023
Erin · on January 5, 2020 at 11:14 AM
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You might be able to do it at a local rec center. A lot of them have pools and they would be in a better position to rent it out than a hotel would be.
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VIP July 2017
Becky · on January 5, 2020 at 11:20 AM
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We went to a wedding at an apartment complex's pool (the bride was a resident). No one went in the pool (though there were bets made on who would go in fully clothed since there was rather a lot of alcohol and not so much in the way of food).
Honestly, even if it were presented as a pool party, I wouldn't want to swim at a wedding - that's just me though.
PPs have mentioned the liability of the electronics, but have you considered people who have been drinking a lot? This just seems like a big risk - and I don't think any hotel is going to allow you to do this.
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on January 5, 2020 at 11:51 AM
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I’m sorry, but no hotel is going to let you have your wedding in their public space.
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Savvy May 2023
Chelsea · on January 5, 2020 at 11:52 AM
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I’m less concerned with the hotel renting the pool - I’m more so trying to get an idea If anyone has attended or held a reception where a pool was involved. Doesn’t seem like many people have!
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Savvy May 2023
Chelsea · on January 5, 2020 at 11:53 AM
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I’m not so concerned about the pool being rented to us, I’m trying to get an idea if anyone has attended a wedding with a pool or held one.
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Savvy May 2023
Chelsea · on January 5, 2020 at 11:53 AM
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Great, Thanks!
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Savvy May 2023
Chelsea · on January 5, 2020 at 11:54 AM
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I’m not so concerned with the drinking, people drink on vacation all the time and are still allowed in the pools. Thanks!
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Savvy May 2023
Chelsea · on January 5, 2020 at 11:54 AM
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I thought about a house too - it seems like this could work if the house is open to a larger party. Thank you!
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Savvy May 2023
Chelsea · on January 5, 2020 at 11:58 AM
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Update to this: I’m more so looking for feedback on whether or not people have had a wedding like this or attended one like this. I’m not worried about the hotel renting the pool out and I understand liabilities and hotel rules. Thank you!
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Legend March 2017
Pirate & 60s Bride · on January 5, 2020 at 12:03 PM
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I’ve never attended one but would not be a fan. Usually not a big enough space to walk around or sit & socialize/eat. Seems awkward. I would definitely not swim nor would any of my friends—not at a wedding reception.
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Devoted December 2019
Samantha · on January 5, 2020 at 12:17 PM
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I have never been to a wedding pool party... might be fun for a next day after the wedding social to wind down the weekend though 🤷🏻‍♀️
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January 2019
MOB So Cal · on January 5, 2020 at 12:20 PM
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I have not attended a wedding that was also a pool party, and if I was invited to one, I'd skip the swimming for all the reasons others have mentioned. However, we did have relatives who got married at an exclusive beach club on the ocean. There was no swimming during the wedding/reception, but they had an after party (many guests were staying on-site) that guests changed for (more casual, and a few in swimwear). Some people went in the water during the after party.
On the otherhand, I have a friend whose wedding/reception took place at a hotel and the cocktail hour was on a patio adjacent to the pool. Much to their dismay, a middle-aged hotel guest decided that she was going to utilize the pool in the middle of the cocktail hour.... Dove in, did laps, etc., making herself quite a distraction in the middle of the wedding. My friend the bride was mortified....
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VIP July 2017
Becky · on January 5, 2020 at 2:13 PM
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Yes, but you and your FH are liable if something happens at your wedding - you are not if something happens on their vacation. It's just something to keep in mind.
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Just Said Yes June 2023
Akida · on June 17, 2021 at 9:04 AM
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Hi! My fiance and I are trying to plan a pool party wedding. I'm wondering if you were able to make any solid plans for yours. I know covid may have changed things up, but did you get anywhere with your plans? We are thinking of renting a mansion or going to one of the local waterparks that have pavilions adjacent. Thanks!
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Just Said Yes May 2015
Danielle · on July 6, 2021 at 9:38 PM
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Hi! I am planning one in Puerto Vallarta as we speak! We live in San Diego and our crew loves a pool party. We are excited! I think it’s important to set everyone’s expectations. Tell them what to wear, what to expect. We are giving out pool bags as our party favors with instructions to bring their swim suit and a change of clothes. We are renting out a 10 bedroom air bnb that was designed for weddings.
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August 2022
Marta · on September 24, 2021 at 11:10 AM
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That sounds like a lot of fun! Do you mind providing the information on the Airbnb?
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