are you doing a meet and greet? also, how would I word this?

gnc0988

So at first we were going to do a double decker bus tour for guests, but that means people need to be on time. Id hate to get the buss and pay all that money for only 5 people to ride because others were late.

If you are having a destination wedding or OOT guests, what ar you doing? Our budget is tight so we would like to keep costs low.  Our next option was to go bowling, but I cant decide if we should reserve lanes or not, because again, we dont know who all would come. Plus, we would rather not fit it into the budget and waste money on unsed games.

 Would it be ok to tell the guests that we will be at the bowling alley, and their first game and drink is on us and HOPE they get a lane near us. To set up group bowling, we would need a definite headcount and people may not feel like bowling after a long flight, plus id hate to waste money on unused lanes and games. Another thing is the bowling alley is not near our hotel and guests would have to get transportation there. 

another otion-We were also going to just tell guests to meet us at a bar inside the hotel if they would like, but drinks and everything would be on them, but I feel like that is not doing enough? I dont want people to get mad that they have traveled all that way and only see us the day of the wedding. What would you do, any ideas? and this leads into the next question

I want people to know that this wedding was set up to be a vacation for them, and while on their vacation they see our wedding and attend our reception. We do not have anything planned for the guests for the day after the wedding. How can we make it clear that these are our intentions?? My one friend got mad because we didnt have all kinda activites planned for guests, but I dont want to occupy their time like that!

I

nursing2u

im not sure about the ORLEANS.. since its off the strip. unless your guest are staying there.

We plan to have a dinner.. but it's a get together and we are letting them know that it is optional and that we aren't paying for this get together..

[Deleted User]

tk ate my post.   grrrrr.

if you're still considering it, I vote for the bus.   I've rented a bus before and I say that to say when you charter, you decide what time you're leaving, the bus driver doesn't.   In that case, I scheduled our trip for 10am, the stragglers were told we were leaving at 9.  The prompties were told we were leaving at 9:50.   10:05 we pulled off with a full load.  the advantage to this too is after travelling yes you wanna have fun, but without expending a whole heap of effort (jmo)

Bowling is cute and fun but personally if I've just gotten off a plane AND I know i'm not guaranteed a lane next to the bride and groom AND I've gotta figure out how to get there, I'd be salty about it.   <-- that's just me though I don't do well in borrowed shoes.

Your bar idea - also awesome.   If you don't think of first round as "enough" put a tab cap on the bill, tell the bartender you've got the first $300 (for example) and after that he makes an announcement that you're going all cash.   think up some party games you can play as a group all to yourselves.  we did this for my besties post wedding outing, we closed the place down with one party game and by the time it went all cash, we didn't care. lol.

M1ssJ

I would do it at the bar. That being said are there under aged parties invited? I had a picnic the day before and way more ppl came than I expected. It was great to see everyone before the wedding. I agree with Sultry.... Host a cap.... Provide finger foods and some games