Doing something for both families

[Gradar1]

While I am not a redneck , some of my family, is well....decidedly not sophisticated. It's not a matter of being impolite in a fancy restaurant or anything like that--they're not rude on purpose--but well, they're Southern and they're loud. And they can be a rambunctious group. DF's family is decidedly different--they eat out more at very nice restaurants, they're the type to drink wine instead of beer, etc. I want to be able to compliment both families--because they represent so much to me! I want to have a formal, plated reception, but I want something at the wedding to represent my Southern roots. : I was thinking about having the rehearsal dinner or a welcome dinner at the Hoop De Do Revue. Does anyone have any suggestions on events, or dinners, or something that will let me 'redneck' family be comfortable without freaking out DF's family?

 

[Codie]

I'm sure your family is fine! I think Hoop dee do is a great idea for a rehearsal dinner...a lot of brides do that...

 

[VistaLeigh'smommy]

I like the idea of Hoop De doo... my Df's family is so different then mine. I think he HDDR would be perfect for us as well. As long as everyone has a sense of humor, I think you'll be all set

 

[hmp2z]

I was in a similar situation, family-wise, with 2 very different sets of parents to accommodate. We went with 'Ohana for our rehearsal dinner, and it was great fun. The family style seating meant that everyone got to relax and get comfortable with each other. The entertainer went out of her way to make it a fun experience for us. Everyone, from the foodies to the country folk, enjoyed the food there. Oddly enough, my husband & I were the only ones who weren't impressed by the food. I am not a meat eater, and my husband is somewhat of a gourmand, and we both decided we wouldn't go back there if it were just the 2 of us.

I am from Louisiana originally, and I felt that the restaurant definitely represented my "roots." Not cuisine-wise, but atmosphere-wise. The big family gatherings, with people reaching out & serving themselves from large dishes on the table, are a very Cajun thing. I felt this was a much better representation of the spirit of Cajun hospitality than if we had actually gone to a restaurant with Southern-themed cuisine.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[twojo21]

well you could have a grooms cake at the reception or rehearsal dinner. (a grooms cake is a southern tradition). add some traditional food of your families to your plated dinner menu ie cajun shrimp or a grandparents recipe into a side or appetizer.

i love the idea of hoop de doo revue for a rehearsal dinner but it could be pricey at $40+ a meal, another affordable but still fun option is whispering canyon cafe at the wilderness lodge we had our rehearsal dinner there for its chaotic & fun antics during dinner plus the food is really good & the wl is beautiful.

 

[Gradar1]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think HDDR could be fun--I've got very fond memories of it as a kid, although I should probably go on my next trip to see if it's as good as I remember! I like the idea of adding things to my menu to represent my family too--do you think that if I really wanted to have a menu item from my own recipe, they could do it--if I got them the recipe well in advance? Probably not, but does anyone know? And DF definitely wants a grooms cake (maybe something with tennis, he was a high school state champ and is still pretty good )

 

[ItGirl753]

I like the idea of adding things to my menu to represent my family too--do you think that if I really wanted to have a menu item from my own recipe, they could do it--if I got them the recipe well in advance? Probably not, but does anyone know?

Not sure what it will cost you, but they did mention it in the Food Network DFTW special! They said if there is a dish you want, they can recreate it for you...and probably make it better. That's what they said.

 

[wendy46001]

Disney will do any recipe for you reception...Don’t know what it costs either...we did think about it but then decided to get recipes from different restaurants...

 

[twojo21]

they will recreate entrees/appetizers from a recipe. we had the yc chefs recreate my husband's busia's potatoe & blueberry pierogi at our prereception & my chicken scampi recipe for our pasta dish at dinner. the pierogi were like $4 each & the pasta dish was like $12 each if i remember correctly. they did a great job with both dishes.