2006-09-14 09:53:22 · 20 answers · asked by videogamer1979 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Put it this way. If I would have had my way, the ceremony would have been nothing more than taking my then-fiance aside and signing the marriage license during the reception/celebration. Then again, my perspective is a bit skewed: as far as we were concerned, my wife and I were married for three years before we told the government (that is, applied for and completed a marriage license).
The ceremony, to me at least, was just ceremony. Or to mix a metaphor (and butcher two quotes), it was pomp and circumstance signifying nothing. Just as important (moreso to me), was the reception. As a groom (and I assume as a bride), the ceremony was the welcome end to a tiring journey: years of preparations, months of counseling with the minister and booking venues, weeks of making sure everything goes off without a hitch, hours decorating the sanctuary, last minute adjustments. Plus, by the time we got all the "have-to-invites" (Aunt Sally's third cousin) in the church, it was going to be standing room only; and do you know how hard it is to keep a church sanctuary cool in April when there's that many people packed in the pews? The poor AC never had a chance. By the end of the ceremony (even with explicit instructions for the minister to keep it short), everyone was so uncomfortable that attending the ceremony was no longer the joy it was supposed to be, it was a chore. Besides, sequestering the couple (bride from the groom) made anything that took longer than a quick handshake prohibitive.
The reception on the other hand, was a way to spend time with all the well wishers, talk with people we hadn't seen for a while, (and yes, have a drink or two); overall, it was a chance to relax and have fun and enjoy each other's company. Plus, we made sure the people we actually wanted to see got to take home more than just a program and some photographs.
Basically, we invited everyone that we "had to invite" to the ceremony, and everyone we actually *wanted* to see to the reception.
2006-09-14 10:23:52 · answer #1 · answered by hogan.enterprises 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of religous reasons
Family Tradition
Size of church or ceremony venue
Personal feelings of the bride and groom
For example you would not invite your aethist co-worker to sit through a Catholic Wedding complete with a hour long mass would you? And some families have traditions were only the bride and groom's immediate family would attend the ceremony.
One bride's family had a tradition that allowed only the parents to attend the ceremony. She did not even have attendants but they got to throw an extremely big ceremony!!
So it really depends. And actually gifts are supposed to be given for the engagement. A wedding gift is actually not required. Just an interesting tidbit I thought I would throw in there.
But more people give gifts at the reception now so that could be a reason though not one I have ever been given.
Have a good day!!
2006-09-14 21:14:37 · answer #2 · answered by mbjwithouse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been invited to many weddings in the past, to both the ceremonies and receptions. I've always gone to both and noticed that only some people show up for the ceremonies. There's many more people at the receptions. I think some people only invite their guests to the reception because they know that a lot of them won't go to the actual ceremony. Either that or the ceremony is only for close families and friends.
2006-09-14 17:00:45 · answer #3 · answered by SimpleGurl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ceremony generally has a deep meaning - especially when the "I-do"s are being said. It is more important to have a manageable and understanding group of people around so that both partners can gather comfort for an attentive crowd of friends and family to take the "plunge".
Reception is a celebration of the event and a party is generally merrier the more people there are.
2006-09-14 17:15:25 · answer #4 · answered by kettlechipsdude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it all depends on the attitude of those getting married. If you don't want Uncle Eddie at the wedding because you know he'll fall asleep and snore, or Cousin Sue's gotten so much of the family mad that they'll refuse to come to the wedding if she's there, then you can invite them to the reception without hurting feelings.
Also, a wedding ceremony is for family and close friends, while the reception is for your neighbors, church group, old grade school teachers, etc, etc, etc. I know, as much as I'd like to see my dad's old high school buddies, I'd rather see them at the reception.
2006-09-14 17:03:46 · answer #5 · answered by Brawl2099 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think it would be the other way around, because you pay for the reception. BUt then perhaps the couple wants the ceremony to be shared with family and very close friends only or no friends and just family.
2006-09-14 16:56:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually this is because they are having a very small, intimate ceremony with close family only and they can't possible invite everyone, yet they want a lot of people to share their big day.
2006-09-14 16:55:30 · answer #7 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gifts are given at the reception, not the ceremony!!!
2006-09-14 17:01:10 · answer #8 · answered by frankalan9999 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can only answer from my experience and that is the church would not hold all the people that we invited to the reception. The church could only accommodate immediate family.
2006-09-14 16:56:53 · answer #9 · answered by chunkydunk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's when the gifts come in to play at the reception. I would be offended if I wasn't invited to both.
2006-09-14 16:55:38 · answer #10 · answered by Sasha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋