Originally Posted by
pinkmomagain
So, DH decided to host a family reunion for one side of his family. Most of these people I have never met...many have not seen each other is perhaps as long as 20 years. About 50-70 will attend and ages will vary from kids to those in their 80s.
We are having it in a catering facility in a Sunday afternoon for 4 hrs. Buffet lunch, cash bar.
So here are my questions:
1) Do you think we should hire a dj? I don't want to have an over-the-top dj, because I feel like people will want to talk and catch up, but I do think it might be nice to have music and/or dancing to make it festive.
2) My dh had an idea of hiring a photographer. He wants some type of big group picture. I'm wondering if I really need to hire a professional photographer? Or maybe just hire someone who is semi-professional with a great camera to take a group picture & maybe some subsets of the group, have it put on a cd and then post it to some share site so that whoever wants print outs can do it on their own.
3) My dh had some relatives submit a few family recipes...maybe we have 10 or so gathered. What to do with this? I don't want to go through the expense of doing a fancy binded book for all the guests...any other thoughts on how to compile and make available?
4) Centerpieces. I thought about just getting ballons for each table with colors of the italian flag (dh's family is italian). Any other creative ideas?
5) Any other ideas for family reunion activities? I have never been to one, let alone organize one and I have no idea if I am on the right track here.
Any and all opinions welcome! Oh, and yes, we are paying for all of it. Which I am OK with, but don't want to go overboard with expenses either.
Wow, this is really nice of your husband. I bet his family members will really appreciate it!
For cheap table centerpieces, I've bought quart mason jars from the grocery store OR you can usually get some at a thrift store. Fill them with some rocks to hold them down (kids love to do this kind of thing to help). Then if you have a Farmer's Market that sell flowers, you can usually get some big bunches of flowers for cheap. Divide them up and put them in the jars. They don't have to look fancy, in fact if you have some twine, rafia (sp) or wrapping ribbon they look rustic and festive. And they are easy and cheap.
I think paying an amateur photographer to come take some pictures is a great idea. I know there are a couple of moms amongst my preschool son's friends that like to take pictures but don't have the time to go professional. You might want to start asking around.
If you have time, ask other family members to send to you their handed -down family recipes and include a little story about it. Slap a cover on (with something about the Smith Family Reunion Cookbook dated June 12, 2010) and take them to KINKOs to get them cheaply bound. They don't have to be neat or organized at all. I think a little haphazardness would add to their charm.
just some of my ideas. hth!
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