Help with day-after wedding activity

ginadog

I'd really love to take interested guests white water rafting the day after the wedding.  Some have already told me they cannot wait, others said count them out (FMIL!).  It's totally optional.  Jackson is famous for white water rafting so I think it's part of the experience.

We can do this ourselves for FREE between my rafting friends and our rigs, but only up to a certain amount (having figured that number yet).  In this case, I can totally host.  Maybe even get some subs and drinks in coolers for the take out for lunch. 

If it's over our max possible, then I'd probably have to do a different activity all together (like a hike) or have a local rafting company take us with their buses.  In this case, I cannot pay for everyone and would need to let people know it's a pay your own way activity.

I've already mentioned the rafting possibility on my website.  I cannot say if we're hosting or it will cost at this time.  Thinking about switching it to a different activity all together seems not right because I'll ask for a head count for rafting and then say, "Nevermind! Change of plans!"

Also, what do I do for those that don't go rafting?  Suggest a hike?  Meet up for lunch later?  Don't worry about them?

Do I need to provide them lunch for after the activity?  We're talking 3 hosted meals if I do (Friday night is a pizza party in a town park).  Or all go Dutch at a restaurant?

What should I host and not host (activity and food wise)? 

75 are invited, we think 45 are going to actually show up based on our probability matrix.

AllyG303

Nothing says that you need to host anything but the reception and possibly rehearsal dinner (if you have one).  We're doing optional day after activities (which will likely just consist of going to the beach or sea world), but we don't intend to pay for lunch or any entrance fees for our guests for whatever we do.  I think it's great that you're providing the option.  Maybe you could suggest a place to eat after rafting, so those that didn't want to raft can meet up with you later, but you certainly don't need to pay for them.

littlemoments324

Well, if you can host, host!!  I think the people that do not go rafting can find something else to do, just give them options of things to do in the area.  Tell them you'll meet them up for lunch or for dinner (depending what time you get back from rafting).  If you don't get back in time for dinner, then I would just feed the people for lunch NOT dinner...If you take all 45ish out to dinner (even for lunch) that is A LOT! 

Maybe one of the rafting companies have group rates with things included in it???  Worth a shot to check out?

littlemoments324

and if you offer the group rate or whatever, let people know that it will be X amount for rafting & lunch...or since they're paying for rafting or vice versa you pay for lunch or rafting?

ginadog

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_day-after-wedding-activity?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:8ce2169e-4e77-4026-ad91-155a611e992bPost:6721b437-9106-4a4a-a835-a6baafa7792b">Re: Help with day-after wedding activity</a>:
[QUOTE]and if you offer the group rate or whatever, let people know that it will be X amount for rafting & lunch...or since they're paying for rafting or vice versa you pay for lunch or rafting?
Posted by littlemoments324[/QUOTE]


That's the tricky part - I cannot report costs/food/anything until I know a head count.  Some will go if it's free, but some will decline if they have to pay, so I kind of have to explain the situation up front.

Or I guess just host it all and that's it.  We can technically get two runs of this 8 mile stretch in per day.  If there are a lot of interesteds, I could raft them in rounds.  Then if a couple has a baby, somoene can go in the AM run and the other in the PM run after lunch.  I'd have to provide lunch for the common denominator people (the guides) but the others can get lunch after or before, but town is one hour away.

Nati05

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_day-after-wedding-activity?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:8ce2169e-4e77-4026-ad91-155a611e992bPost:6d2c232e-84d0-4bf7-9f6f-300e29112881">Re: Help with day-after wedding activity</a>:
[QUOTE]Nothing says that you need to host anything but the reception and possibly rehearsal dinner (if you have one).  We're doing optional day after activities (which will likely just consist of going to the beach or sea world), but we don't intend to pay for lunch or any entrance fees for our guests for whatever we do.  I think it's great that you're providing the option.  Maybe you could suggest a place to eat after rafting, so those that didn't want to raft can meet up with you later, but you certainly don't need to pay for them.
Posted by AllyG303[/QUOTE]

I'm with Ally. We're thinking about next day activities as well, but they will strictly be come if you'd like, pay your own way. I'm not exactly sure of the best wording for your website, but just make sure it states that's optional. Maybe you could give a price estimate so that it's understood you're not hosting for everyone? Just imagine how much of a headache it would be to try and figure out who is going and who is not down to the last minute, on top of paying for them. Make your life easy and list these activities as options. For people who don't go, I think lunch afterwards sounds like a wonderful idea!

littlemoments324

hmm...well if you can do it for free then do it for free!

We put this on our website: "Wedding Events"

-Friday, July 13, 2012: Pizza in the Alpine's! at 6:00pm...(maybe find a good pic of the park)

-Saturday, July 14th, 2012: Ceremony at X location.  4:30pm.

-Sunday, July 15th, 2012: Getting Wet & Wild on the (name of water)!!  Meet at (location) no later than X time.  Lunch will be provided.

-For those not wanting to go white water rafting please refer to the 'Attractions' tab to the left of the screen to find fun things to do and places to eat while you're in town.

Is this what you're looking for??

ginadog

http://www.mywedding.com/erikshannon/events.html
That's pretty much what I've got! LOL

hmm...well if you can do it for free then do it for free!

Well if all the guests want to go (not likely) then I have issues, just too many logistics.  I guess I just can say free and MAKE it work somehow.  I don't know!

Oh and if my best friends, who are the rafting gurus, don't make it for any reason (they should they are the closest to Jackson out of anyone), then I'm SOL!  The coordination of this all is their wedding gift to us. 

I could say coolers are provided but pick up a sub at XYZ if you want lunch on the water.

MeaganR12

Are you worried about not having enough rafts or are you worried about not having enough room in cars? Because if it's the former maybe you can rent some somewhere? I know that in my group of friends there would be a few who would insist on pitching in for something like that so you might end up breaking even.

ginadog

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_day-after-wedding-activity?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:8ce2169e-4e77-4026-ad91-155a611e992bPost:c5e3fed3-a3d4-40a8-8950-4ae66a2b73bb">Re: Help with day-after wedding activity</a>:
[QUOTE]Are you worried about not having enough rafts or are you worried about not having enough room in cars? Because if it's the former maybe you can rent some somewhere? I know that in my group of friends there would be a few who would insist on pitching in for something like that so you might end up breaking even.
Posted by MeaganR12[/QUOTE]

Worried about:
a) enough guides and rafts.  We definitely have 2 rafts and 2 guides.  Our rafts can hold 8-10 ppl each.   I have another friend at the wedding who can guide, but I haven't asked her to do this yet.  She was the first person I've ever rafted with.  Then I'd rent a 3rd raft for her to guide if we needed it.

b) enough vehicles to shuttle the rafts back to the put in - either a truck/trailer combo will do or an SUV where you tie it to the top will do.  I guess a trailer can pull two rafts on top of each other.  Just so you don't have to deflate them after each run.  However when deflated, they will fit in a Subaru.

People would carpool or drive their rental car between the put in and take out.

BrightFirefly

It sounds fun - and I think anyone who would go into it thinking that you're footing the bill is INSANE.
 
I personally don't think you need to pay for any of it, the food, the rafts, etc.

Can I come? This sounds like a blast.

It was unseasonably warm here yesterday (high 50's) and it had me wanting to strap the kayak onto the top of my car and get out there.

michelle11988

That sounds like an awesome idea to get everyone together after the wedding.  We are jsut doing a brunch the next morning which is buffet at the hotel included in their rooms haha.  I would not worry about footing the bill, if people ask you about how much say your not sure as it requires a final head count but it could cost up to x but will probably be y.