AHR- What's expected/not expected

andrea2473

My sister and her FI are having a true elopement (well, planned elopement whatever that is called) and NO ONE except her 4 year old daughter will be there   Moms on both sides, mainly his, would like to have an AHR.  My sister and her FI are on board with the idea, as long as they can do it their way. My sister is an outdoor party, bring the kids, come one, come all kind of a gal.    She has a lot of people she wants to invite, but not a huge budget.  So far, she has ideas to have a local creole/cajun restaurant cater and has music sorted out.   She doesn't plan on doing anything traditional except maybe the "first" dance.  She hasn't made cuts on the GL yet, but is dreading it.   I was trying to come up with ways to help her cut back so she could make room for her guests and need to run one by you.   Since it's just a picnic, does she need to serve cake or cupcakes?   I voted no, and I'm someone who loves sweets.  Our mom gasped when I suggested that.  I just figure when I'm outside at a bbq/picnic, I'm not put out if there isn't any cake.   It's not a formal wedding reception, just a big casual celebration with food and some dancing.

Was I wrong to suggest that?  Any other ideas?

jessicabessica

I think she should have some kind of sweet ending to the meal, but it doesn't need to be cake.  Cookies or brownies might be less expensive.

ETA: What else is she spending money on?  Invitations?  Decorations or flowers?  Those are areas I would try to cut back.

hoffse

The creole place may have a dessert list that she can negotiate into her catering cost.  I agree there should be something sweet to finish off the meal, but it doesn't have to be cake or cupcakes.  Since she wants a very casual AHR (which is totally fine given the circumstances you described), she COULD pick up a very inexpensive yet tasty cake at a place like costco or a local grocery store or something.  Just have them write "congrats!" on the cake instead of "yay you're married!" and they won't try to upsell her to a full-blown wedding cake or personally decorated cupcakes.  I have to give a plug for costco for this - they did a cake for a shower I went to recently and it was delicious.  The MOH told me later they paid like $25 for it, and it was huge.  She said they have a limited selection of designs, but they'll do any colors your request within that design range, and some are obviously aimed toward shower/wedding/anniversary type celebrations.

jessicabessica

Ditto hoffse.  Costco cakes are delicious.