Reception, open house style??

What do you mean when you say a party similar to an open house? As long as this means you will be providing food and drinks to your guests, then I don't see why this would be any different from the other backyard weddings we've seen here on WW.

Also confused about open house. I take that as meaning people would be coming and going? Wouldn't everyone already be there for the ceremony though?

What do you mean by open house?

When you say open house - do you mean technically just a party? like a forreal bbq party. everyone bring their coolers type of party?

Thank you for replying. Yes, I mean by providing food and beverages and people may come and go as pleased. I feel this would be easier than trying to find space to sit 200 guests at one time. My thought is kind of like a graduation open house (party)...How would I word this on an invitation?

We're having a come-and-go reception because it was the only way we could afford the venue of our dreams. So we'll have a headcount for the ceremony and then the reception is super casual and there's a buffet so everyone can get food at their own pace.

We're getting mixed reviews when we tell people that, but.. like I said, venue of our dreams.

Eh. wouldn't it be nicer and more special to have a smaller group and a 'real' party?

Not sure on the wording yet... I'm thinking something that includes the words "Open Reception" so people understand. Or at least wonder enough to ask!

Backyard weddings can be beautiful and affordable if done the right way but they can also be a headache. Some things to consider is how all 200 people will fit in your home, parking etc. If you don't do an actual dinner but just do appetizers, cupcakes etc people won't linger quite as long and you won't need seating.

My MIL did an open house reception after our destination wedding and invited around 150 people. She sent out three separate invites with different times so that everyone didn't arrive at once. She had the house set up as usual and people stayed for about an hour or two drinking, having appetizers, candy bar etc and then left. Obviously when you don't have tables and chairs people won't linger as long. My MIL does have a very large home though so having lots of people wasn't a worry, maybe something like that would work for you?

200 people is a lot for an open house- how big is you backyard? I agree with others- you will need to have seating for everyone and I would still have an RSVP so you have an idea of how many people are coming and how much food to get.

We're having an out of state wedding, and then a drop in reception for the people in the state we're living in. Ours won't be that many on the guest list, but I think it's a great idea. We were going to word it, 'drop in between....__'o clock", we were going to do hors d'oevres and dessert/finger foods. But I hear you, even a wedding and reception at lodge in a park with 80-100 guests is still costing $4000...

If everyone's already there for the ceremony, that's going to negate the 'drop in' part, isn't it? every one will be there at the same time, so you'll have to have enough space to accommodate them all together. I don't think there's anything wrong with a backyard wedding/reception, but a 200 person guest list for that style of event sounds very ambitious.

Even if it is open house style, how will you know you'll have enough room/food for all 200 guests in case a huge chunk shows up at the same time? I'm also not a fan of inviting people to a reception who are not invited to the ceremony, but I think that's a personal preference of mine.

If I were in your position, I would just do a smaller guest list and host them for the ceremony and reception. It doesn't have to be anything traditional--a backyard BBQ is wonderful! But just make sure you can host everyone.

In utah, mormons do open house all the time... don't know any part of the US though... or even people familiar with it. people drop in and give u a gift and wait in the line to greet u and eat like a slider and a cookie.. catering cost is way down...

the only downside is that not so many people on dance floor or people won't wait for your first dance or cake cutting

Make sure u do it not at lunch or dinner time... after 7:30pm and before 4pm is ideal