Community› Local Wedding Boards› Illinois-Chicago
Illinois-Chicago
New Discussion
Options

Night-Before-Wedding Gathering

laurebkraftlaurebkraft member
First Comment
in Illinois-Chicago
Whoops, I first posted this on "Illinois" and not "Chicago."

Hey there,

The FI and I would like to throw a small gathering the night before our wedding for out-of-town guests, family and attendants. The IL's are uninterested in throwing a rehearsal dinner, and (surprise, surprise!) we're already way overbudget on the actual wedding.

Does anyone have a low-cost suggestion for how the FI and I could throw a little pre-wedding shindig without digging too far into our already over-budget wedding fund?

(Quick details: Wedding party + close family and out-of-town guests is about 30-40 people; wedding is June 2011 in the West Loop. All guests are staying at The Sax.)

Longer details:
The FI and I are getting married in Chicago, where we live, but our family and friends live either on the East coast or in the far suburbs. Despite the IL's disinterest in a rehearsal dinner, we'd still like everyone to have a chance to meet and enjoy each other before the big wedding. (Essentially, we can't have a party a few weeks ahead of time because of distance ... )

Pequod's is a special place for us, but at $30 a head, we're looking at at least $1K for just the family and wedding party.

Is it weird to have a pizza party at our house the night before? We don't want anyone to have to cab too far into the city for a cheaper place ...
Any other ideas?

Help! :)

Thanks ladies!

Sorry if there were a lot of details, but I know how annoying it can be when the bride posts too few details.
Report Reply to Post

Re: Night-Before-Wedding Gathering

  • Options
    vstu12vstu12
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I think an at-home gathering is absolutely fine. People know how expensive it is to have a wedding, and I'm sure they would appreciate the gesture.  Also, OOT guests would probably love the chance to have Chicago pizza! 
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Options
    jbll326jbll326 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    It's perfectly acceptable and probably more fun! We had a very casual pizza and bowling rehearsal dinner and it was a huge success. People are still talking about how much fun they had. It was a more relaxed atmosphere than most RDs I've been to, which resulted in people loosening up and getting to know each other better than in a formal setting where people tend to stick with the people they already know.

    Plus your OOTers will probably thank you for having a relaxing night with just pizza and not making them dress up for a formal RD after traveling all day!
    Report Reply
  • Options
    Believeinlove817Believeinlove817
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    It's totally okay to do something casual! I'm sure guests will appreciate it and it's less expensive. Why spend a ton on a RD when you are spending a TON on the wedding?!?! We are doing a casual RD. We are looking at having it at a local bar/eatery in the burbs with some chicken wings, salad, maybe some sandwiches, etc. FI and I are super laid back and don't want some stuffy formal RD. Plus our RD is going to be St. Patrick's day, so it's all about having fun!
    Photobucket Visit The Nest! Anniversary
    Report Reply
  • Options
    laurebkraftlaurebkraft member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks guys! It sounds like pizza is the way to go! I appreciate the feedback. :)
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards