Need Advice on what to do the night before the wedding...

[twiu]

So my wedding is on a Sunday at 7:30 pm. My rehearsal is Saturday morning with a rehearsal luncheon at 12 noon for family & wedding party. Here's my problem: We have about 150 people coming and more than half of these people are out of town guests. My mom is freaking out about what to do with these people. She's saying they're old and need to be babysat so we need to plan something for them to do. My idea was to just have everyone meet at House of Blues at Downtown Disney, whoever wants to eat can and it can be a casual affair. Mom thinks it will be too busy and I need to make reservations somewhere (since supposedly these people can't figure that out on their own and it is labor day weekend). What do I do?

We can't afford to host something for over 50 people. I'd do a meet and greet somewhere mom thinks we need food. Any suggestions? Maybe I should just make a reservation at a restaurant for 50 people and tell everyone to rsvp as soon as possible and to each pay their own way? Is that tacky? I need suggestions please!

Thanks,
Tracy

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

150 people. There has to be SOME people that will enjoy the free time in Disney and want to go off on their own. Then there are probably those who may have not been to Disney that often and aren't really sure what their options are. Maybe you can make a little list of some things that they can do or places that they can go, including how to get there, etc. Then for those people who absolutely need to be babysat, you can plan to meet up with somewhere and hopefully that will be below 50 people.

Maybe somethings on the "list" can be Cirque, mini-golf, DTD and maybe a list of restaurants in DTD that they might want to make reservations at.

 

[Skylarr29]

I really don't think you need to host anything. I think that puts A LOT of added stress on you.

I think making a small newsletter with options and park hours should suffice. It's not like you are leaving 10 people out of the rehearsal dinner and you feel badly.... it is 100 people! Disney has so many things to do that I am sure everyone can find something that they will enjoy.

If people need to be babysat then someone else needs to make those arrangements for them (them or their close family members etc.) because you are the bride and obviously you won't be able to do it.

GL

 

[alissa2008]

I agree. I'm putting together a planning guide and mailing it out early for people who want to plan their vacation... pm me if you want me to email it to you, you can use it as a template... but its got things like; descriptions of all the theme parks, how to buy tickets, things to do, shows to catch...etc. there's so much stuff... like the ranch, fishing, golfing... even if they're not big disney-ites, there is still PLENTY to do! You really shouldn't have to babysit 150 people...that's crazy!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Plus, they may not WANT to have to go to another event. Most of my guests wanted time to do their own thing - like park hopping or swimming or just hanging out - and a lot of them made their own plans to meet each other in their free time.

Let them plan their own activities - they are not going to expect the bride to entertain them the night before the wedding.

 

[Cosi Bella]

I agree, I think you should let them do their own thing. I think it would be fabulous to make up a newsletter type thing, informing those who aren't' familiar with the area all the different and fun things they can do, and then let them decide what to do! I think most people will be comfortable with that. Then they will still feel as though you are thinking about them and making sure they are "taken care of" the night before... yet you're still letting them do their own thing.

If you MUST do something, why not do an informal meet and greet in DTD?? Theres a TON to do down there, and there are restaurants where people can grab a bite to eat!

Hope it doesn't cause too much added stress! Good luck

 

[disprincessatheart]

Do a meet and greet, and when you send that information, let them know you won't be eating then, and list a few restaurants nearby that they could make ADR's at and list a few that are counter service. That should help your mom feel better about people not knowing and keeps you from having to organize too much.

 

[DisBride2007]

This must be a "mom" thing. My mom tried to say the exact same thing. Think of it this way. If you were having a wedding in your hometown, and let's say 130 of your 150 guests were from your hometown, you wouldn't be expected to entertain them, but you probably would be expected to at least provide a meal to the other 20. However, at a destination wedding, everyone is an out of town guest.

The bottom line is IT'S DISNEY WORLD. Your guests will be able to find a million and a half things to do to entertain themselves. Even though it might be traditional to entertain out of town guests, I personally don't feel that applies at WDW.

You could come up with an informal meet & greet like other brides have done, but it will be another event for you to plan, and worry about, and (oh yeah) pay for.

That is also a really big group to hold an event for. It's not like you can call up and get an ADR for 150. Maybe you can use that excuse to not have the party.

GL!

 

[twiu]

Thank you all!!! I agree with all of you. I didn't want to do anything, plan anything, I wanted to play it by ear.

This is all my mom's issue. But, after reading all your wonderful suggestions - I'm going to let her stress out about it and I'm just going to go with the flow. It's her issue so let her deal with it

I'm going to just chill out before the wedding! Thanks girls!

 

[scottish/canadian]

We ditched everyone the night before. We had dinner together at Citricos and then he dropped me off at BW and he went off to ***. It was a super late extra magic hours at the Magic Kingdom so a lot of our guests went over there. The girls were going to come hang out in our suite at BW to watch movies but it was too late and two of them ended up at MK with the groomsmen anyways!

 

[FIREFLY01]

we told everyone we were going to JELLY ROLLS on the boardwalk if any one would like to join us we told them all the admission amount. then no one felt obligated to come or not, we had about 15 of us there! it was a blast, its a piano bar and alot of fun!!!!! I think it was 10 dollars to get in!

 

[scottish/canadian]

We had my bachelorette at Jellyrolls and made plans to meet up with everyone there another night. Even my grandma and uncle came and had a great time!

 

[Alarose]

Just like everyone is saying, you do NOT have to plan anything. I agree...some or many might just want the day/evening to theirselves. I'm guessing you will keep them very busy the next day lol.

I like the idea of a newsletter too!

I also like meeting maybe at DTD just to spend some time together. Another place you could possibly meet (maybe not...I don't think this would be a problem) is at your resort's pool? Some could swim and others could just sit and talk. Would the resort really know? I would hope they wouldn't think this is a problem anyway. Maybe this would not work out...but just another idea.