Rehearsal @ O'hanas..anyone done it?

[Jumpin'Jellyfish]

Hello all!!!

We are planning to have our rehearsal dinner at O'hanas and I hear that you have to book it like an ADR...is this true?

How does O'hanas accommodate that many people? How does the pricing work? Do we get a discount at all? We are prepared to pay for everyones meal and then a fountain drink...how does this all work?

 

[JJClemson]

I am having RD at 'Ohana on June 24. We are having approximately 70 people. If you have a large group like us, you have to chose the first seating (5pm) or the last seating (9pm). You cannot all sit together, but they try to place the tables as close to each other as possble. You do book it like an ADR, but our EM is handling that for us. You do not receive any discounts for it being a rehearsal dinner, you must pay the same price as normal price, around $27 per adult, I believe. HTH

 

[Jumpin'Jellyfish]

You cannot all sit together, but they try to place the tables as close to each other as possble. HTH

WHAT????? How is that a fun time??? Are they serious? How do you do speeches and stuff????

 

[JJClemson]

They cannot make a table for 70 b/c of space restrictions, but they do try to sit you all in the same area.

 

[StephSFL]

We have 50 people and the same problem splitting up problem. However, for our group, it's probably best so no one makes any speeches.
I have been to other rehearsal dinners there where they have the weddign party play games and such! Lots of fun!
We had been considering 1900 Park Fare because there is a more private area in the back of the restaurant (a little room/use to be their main entrance). You might want to check that out. There are some places you can get a private room/area, but there is a minimum you must spend (I think CG had a $3,000 min. for one of their rooms).

 

[DisBride2007]

We looked into the private room at Jiko and the room that seats 40 people is a $4000 minimum.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We are also thinking of having our Rehersal/Welcome Dinner at Ohana - probably about 40 people. I know soda is included in the price of the dinner and I love all those tropical drinks that they serve there but at over $7.00 each would like to not have them included. Is there any nice was of saying that soda is included in the price of the dinner (which we are paying for) but if they want any speciality drinks they need to pay for it themselves? I know this sounds tacky but between the Rehersal Dinner - Ceremony - Pre reception - Reception and Illuminations desert party we are looking to cut back on some things.
Linda

 

[Jumpin'Jellyfish]

Linda,

I have the same problem, but I think what we are going to do is (I have been doing newsletters) and in one to the people invited to the rehearsal I will tell them the dinner menu and say that a soft drink has been included and if you wish to have a cocktail there are some really good ones at the bar. I dunno what do you think? cheesy?

 

[Laurafoster]

We did our dinner at Ohanas - we had a table for 30 so we were all sat together. We had sent everyone an invitation saying that we were paying for the meal and all soft drinks but if they wanted any alcoholic drinks to get them at the bar themselves.

Also its really worth gettiing the DDE card to save 20% - you get it of 10 adults per card - we had 2 and they gave us discount on everybody but we saved $160 ish!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I was thinking along the same lines and posting the menu stating it included soft drinks. I was thinking of printing off the menu on nice paper (poly themed) and purchasing those stand up lucite frames (like they have in restaurants) and placing a copy of the menu in there - maybe 5 or 6 for different parts of the table).

I really like the idea of putting it in the newsletter - that way they know before hand just what the deal is. Also love the idea of the DDE card. How much do they charge for the card and do you have to have an AP to get one?

Thanks for your help.
Linda

 

[Laurafoster]

I think you can get them anyway but if you have an AP its $60 for the first card and then $25 for an additional card! Throughout the holiday it saves me a few hundred dollars so well worth it!

 

[happylalagirl]

Hi there. We had our rehearsal dinner at O'Hana's. Andrew's parents paid for ours. We asked our EM to make the reservations and she did. You can do it yourself. Just make sure they know it's for your wedding party. They fit all 21 of us at one table. THey don't guarantee it though but from what I've heard, they usually manage to do it. Good luck!!! It was sooooooooooooooo much fun!!!!

 

[StephSFL]

We did our dinner at Ohanas - we had a table for 30 so we were all sat together. We had sent everyone an invitation saying that we were paying for the meal and all soft drinks but if they wanted any alcoholic drinks to get them at the bar themselves.

Also its really worth gettiing the DDE card to save 20% - you get it of 10 adults per card - we had 2 and they gave us discount on everybody but we saved $160 ish!

I didn't know you could spilt up the bill like that to get the discount! Bewteen my immediate family we have 4 DDE cards and that could really save some $$$$. Did they hastle you about it? Did you book your reservation through your planner?

 

[jmmastra]

I asked this very same question on another thread. And based on the great responses we are having our rehersal dinner at O'hanas for 30 people. Our EM booked it for us. My FMIL and FFIL are paying for the meal. Not everyone is invited to the rehersal dinner so I have two itineraries; one for those who are in the wedding party and one for those who are not. For those who are attending the rehersal dinner I plan to put that DF's parents are hosting the dinner and what will be on the menu. I will also put that soda and water are included with the meal and that all alcoholic beverages can be purchased at the bar. I plan to let the servers know that alcohol is not to be put on the tab and they are not to take alcoholic beverage orders. I do not want my FMIL to pay for drinks or have the bill get confusing. My guests do not expect their alcohol to be paid for so I think it is perfectly appropriate to let them know where drinks can be purchased. I for one will be purchasing a very tropical drink!