want to get Married without a reception?

Question

I want to get married but dont have the money to throw a reception afterwards......but was thinking bout just going out as a big group afterwards...dumb idea???????

Answer 1

Believe it or not, A LOT of wedding parties do this. You can go out to a bar or something afterward. People will surely go for it.

If they don't want to come, then they don't have to....if they do, then great!! Just do what you want, and try to have fun!!

Good luck!!!!

Answer 2

If you are going out as a big group, then you need to tell your guests that you expect them to pay for themselves. This isn't the usual "rule" with weddings. It would be less expensive for you to have a small reception afterwards either at the place you are getting married (for instance, if you are getting married in a church, they might have a small hall that you could use for a gathering place immediately after the ceremony) or at the house of family or friends who might live nearby. If the weather is nice, even a backyard gathering might be possible. You could have a small cake and have a very simple reception very inexpensively. If you take a big group out, you may also have to pay extra gratuity, etc. Maybe you would want to go out with some of the people later, but you should discuss this with those few individually and make sure everything, expense-wise, is clear to all involved.

Answer 3

I worked with a young Bride in the same predicament. Since they got married in a church we used the "fellowship hall" (multi-purpose room) for a Cake & punch reception with receiving line. Then all the young people who were interested, walked downtown(about 1/2 mile) with Bride, Groom and bridal party, to a bar that was having happy hour. They each ate appetizers and paid for their own drinks because it was "spur of the moment" (not really, but the guests thought it was!) They had a fun "reception" and many danced the night away. The DJ at the Bar really got into it and it ended up seeming like a reception anyway. The "old" people were satisfied with the cake and punch. The bride mentioned to me afterwards that she had so much fun walking down the street in her wedding dress to people honking and congratulating them that she would recommend this type of reception to any of her friends and her younger sister. Mom & Dad were grateful for the low price but fun reception for their daughter. Hope this gives you some ideas! Best wishes............

Answer 4

I'm not sure that will work out the way you are expecting. Most people will assume you are still paying the bill. One idea would be to have the wedding earlier (around lunch time), and just do cake and punch as others are suggesting. That way people aren't expecting dinner. If you still want to go out afterwards, maybe just do it with the wedding party and some close friends, they are usually pretty understanding about the money thing.

Answer 5

A friend of mine was in a similar position, so after the wedding they just had nibbles, punch and cake - so basically just enough for a light lunch. Nice and cheap and you still all get a chance to socialise.

In the evening they took just close family and friends (i.e. best man and bridesmaids, so there was no more than 10 of them) to a restaurant. In the evening, everyone met back up in a bar and partied the night away, each footing their own bill for drinks, etc. This worked well, and it's something I'm seriously considering for when I tie the knot :)

Congratulations and I hope you have a great day!

Answer 6

By "going out as a group afterwards" you mean, each person pays their own way? If that's what you mean, I'd advise against that...that's fine for teens who are dating, but you're getting married-people should not have to foot the bill for the meal afterwards...you could have a cake and punch reception and just serve that...you can't invite someone out, though, and expect them to pay for their own meal. I'm sorry.

Answer 7

You could always throw a party at a park. Have a cookout, Thats what my friend did. They saved money doing it that way. Its cheap to have a cookout. You could do brats and hotdogs. Or you could do it in someones backyard, if anyone has a large backyard. Depending on how many people you were planning on going out with.....
Kinda seems not wedding like to go out as a big group. Kinda sounds like you're all gonna go out as friends, but this is a big day for you. You should be able to sit and enjoy it. If you want to ''go out'' there's always going to be disagreements as to where people like, and dont like. Its easier to just find a place, and have your own cookout, or have subs from walmart, or sams club or subway made. Thats cheap too.

Answer 8

It would be very confusing if you have a big wedding and not have a reception. If you are having an intimate small wedding then I suggest having a BBQ and potluck together. Each member of your family could bring their favorite family recipe to share with everyone. Weddings are really about bringing the two families together.

Answer 9

Maybe you should just do a cake afterwards, then you can invite people from there to join you somewhere, but explain to them they would have to pay their own way :)
im sure they will understand, Come on now.. weddings are $$$$$
Good Luck and Enjoy your big special day!
Maybe you could have a couple of your and his friends to help you pay for some bbq stuff and you can invite more people to come to your place (maybe one of your parents if that is bigger) and join you all for a nice bbq

Answer 10

Don't make them pay. That's tacky/rude. Most people expect a meal along with coming to the wedding. Just kind of the way it is since they made the effort to come out and to bring a gift the least you can do is provide a meal.

If you want to have them out to eat at a restaurant which you are paying for that's ok in my book.