I thought this was an acceptable practice, my fiancee thinks it is not.
2006-07-29 14:13:56 · 37 answers · asked by mcslain 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Its perfectly acceptable to invite only your closest family and friends to the wedding and then everyone to party at the reception.
2006-07-29 14:15:51 · answer #1 · answered by Amanda R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the ceremony is going to be small and kind of intimate, I think it would be okay. That way, you can have the small ceremony type thing and then invite the "less-close" people to a large reception. Besides, the reception is usually more fun anyway. It's kind of non-traditional, but I think it would be okay. It would probably be best to invite only very close family and friends to the wedding and the rest to the reception, because if you extend the list of guests for the wedding too much, you could wind up causing hurt feelings. It's easier to explain if you keep it simple, if that's what you choose.
2006-07-29 14:19:17 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to invite more people to the reception, then have it on a different day, and don't call it a reception (reception is a place where the bride/groom can receive/greet the guests that came to the ceremony, it's a way of thanking them for joining them for the ceremony) Rather, have a celebration party the next day 'in celebration of the marriage of so and so'. Otherwise, it's rather rude to have a reception for the ceremony and have people at the reception who didn't witness the ceremony. (in my personal opinion, I don't understand why you wouldn't want more people at the ceremony, that's the meaning and the 'specialness' behind a wedding, not the party)
2006-07-29 15:07:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's done tactfully. If your having a really small ceremony, less then 10 people including the wedding party then absolutly because everyone will understand that you just wanted a small wedding and a HUGE celebration. But if your having a bigger wedding, such as more then 100 people, then the ones you don't invite the the ceremony might feel they were only invited to the reception for the gift value.
2006-07-29 14:17:12 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some people who feel that the most important part of any wedding is the actual ceremony. They would rather skip the "party" and just go to the ceremony. If there are people on your side who would rather just attend the "party" and skip the ceremony, ask them how they feel. If your survey finds that they would be offended, then plan on inviting people to both and not invite only to the reception.
2006-07-29 14:17:35 · answer #5 · answered by mom of girls 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to send the invitation to the wedding ceremony to everyone. It is up to them if they feel they should actually attend the ceremony. But, if your questions is can you invite people to the reception but, not to the dinner portion of your wedding reception the answer is yes, you include a seperate card that requests they attend your reception at a time that dinner would have concluded to enjoy the band (DJ) and drinks. It should state you are invited to join the celebration of our union and then have the details. Congratulations on your uncoming marriage!
2006-07-29 14:50:17 · answer #6 · answered by lilbitevil2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that is absoloutley fine. Here in Idaho, we have a lot of people of the Mormon religion, and they do the ceremony in a temple with only a few close family members, if anyone at all. So here it is common to only be invited to a reception, and the guests all understand.
The only thing I have heard is that it's NOT acceptable the other way around (inviting someone to the ceremony only).
2006-07-29 15:11:29 · answer #7 · answered by ♫ Abby ♫ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess that i am confused as to why you wouldn't want them to be at your wedding (it doesn't cost anything to have them there), why wouldn't you want them there to experience the most important part of your day? THE VOWS, when you express your long and lasting love for each other. I personally look more forward to going to the wedding because then i get to see the bride at her most beautiful state (before her dress is bustled, before the bar hopping began, and before the infamous drink spills on her wedding gown). just think, the more people that you invite to the wedding, will be that many more people that will get to see your beautiful bride walk down the aisle in her full glory, and they will also get to share in the love that the 2 of you offer each other.
The question that you need to answer is "why don't you want these people at your wedding, but you want them at your reception" if your response is acceptable to you and your fiance, then by all means do it; however, i personally would invite them to the wedding.
Congratulations, and best wishes to you and your fiancee.
2006-07-29 14:58:51 · answer #8 · answered by rabika97 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not proper etiquette, and you will look like you're only after gifts. Check out the forum at www.etiquettehell.com for more tips. They talk about that all the time.
Northstar408 - if it were a matter of cost, wouldn't you invite more people to the wedding itself and NOT the reception? Isn't the reception what costs the most per person?
2006-07-29 14:16:46 · answer #9 · answered by They call me ... Trixie. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course its acceptable. Because many ppl can't either make it to the actual ceremony or aren't too comfortable going to the ceremony when they don't know the bride or anyone from either side that well. But at the reception they can come up and personally congratulate you both and feel more comfortable.
2006-07-29 16:03:43 · answer #10 · answered by Bloody Kisses 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly acceptable and it is common practice.
Most people invite relatives and close friends to the actual ceremony.
Alot of churches only hold so many people and you cant invite everyone that you might like to.
The reception is a celebration of the wedding itself and it is for all to enjoy.
2006-07-29 14:20:58 · answer #11 · answered by ETxYellowRose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋