My fiance and I are debating a tradtional ceremony where everyone we know is invited or just running off the Vegas. If we do elope we would still like to have a party to celebrate our union when we get home. Can we do that? Or how can we de that properly?
We don't want our guests to feel obligated to bring wedding gifts and we don't want people to feel slighted that they didn't witness the ceremony. We just want to have a party for all of our family and friends to get together.
Any comments, thoughts, suggestions or questions would be accepted and appreciated.
2007-05-25 02:48:25 · 36 answers · asked by Leannan 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Totally!
My friends got married on a trip for just the two of them, then had a party for their friends and family later. It was a blast---and a lot of the stress was off the whole deal, so everyone had a really good time at the "reception".
2007-05-25 02:51:27 · answer #1 · answered by paradoxyducks 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can do whatever you want girl. It's ur "elopement" and if you want a reception after your elopement , its not nessicearly "formal" but elopement and having an actual wedding are extremely different & it won't matter whats formal in this situation.
So I would say get some informal invitations for your reception. If you want to tell the people you invite that its not mandatory to bring wedding gift, thats fine. Or you can write at the bottom of the invitation.
Elopement is romantic. Sometimes the heart whispers the emphatic desire to be married. When a relationship has been growing properly, nothing says "I love you" like a proposal to elope. Eloping couples find they can express their individual style in a small, private affair.
Elopement certainly suggests the importance and value of the relationship. While some think of elopement as a selfish experience, romance is an emotion only shared by two.
Elopement is meaningful. Just because elopement appears impetuous doesn't mean that marriage is unimportant. On the contrary, elopement addresses the great value a couple places on becoming husband and wife.
Many couples have invested years in a relationship that leads to a simple elopement. It certainly makes it clear that their wedding is not a pageant or a show, but a significant articulation of their commitment.
An elopement doesn't automatically exclude others. Sometimes a few close friends witness the ceremony. Often the parents are present to give their blessing. Nothing prevents a couple from hosting a small meal following the ceremony or a festive reception when they return from their honeymoon.
Elopement is practical. It takes little time. Let's face it--many couples in meaningful relationships have busy careers. Some have already started their families. For some modern couples, a meaningful and romantic elopement may be the only opportunity to be wed.
Elopement is affordable. Some couples just show up at the minister's front door with a marriage license in hand. Some plan a complete vacation.
Since elopement services are varied, any combination of quality services can be included. Many couples order flowers or have a small cake sent to their hotel. Brides often wear something borrowed and something blue.
2007-05-25 03:03:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i've got observed those responses, too. i think of weddings are celebrations a pair might desire to have with friends and kinfolk! whether, I do discover that people who say they are eloping - are quite extremely purely getting married far flung from the place they stay. Eloping is going away in secret to be married. yet another element, a lot of those eloping discover that later 'some thing' is lacking, and finally end up attempting to devise a reception later besides. Then i think of it is too undesirable, because of the fact i think of an identical human beings might desire to attend the ceremony and reception. I comprehend no longer anybody needs a huge wedding ceremony - yet there is not any longer something incorrect with having a smaller party.
2016-11-05 08:31:51 · answer #3 · answered by gennusa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband & i eloped, mainly because i wanted a small ceremony, and his family was leaning to HUGE ceremony. Any way, after we had informed the family that we had eloped. My mother in law actually threw us an informal reception. I think the invitations were very cute and said something about how we had surprised everyone. then went on to invite people to "celebrate our the new marriage of.." I will say that almost everyone invited came, and i don't remember any wierd comments. and let me say my "new" family would have definately let me know! PLus you could just add something on the invites about no gifts please. or "your company to celebrate with us is the only gift we need." So, i think a party (you don't have to cal it a reception) after eloping is a great idea. Congrats on your engagement. Good luck with everything!!
2007-05-25 03:03:20 · answer #4 · answered by sparkly fire 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is acceptable to have a reception after eloping. The best way to put everyone at ease is to make it semi-formal that way it's more like a get-together and people won't have to feel obligated to bring gifts. Have someone take tons of pics at the ceremony and play a slideshow at the reception so those who missed out will get to see everything.
2007-05-25 06:15:26 · answer #5 · answered by myworldwillneverbewhatiexpected 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely, I suspect the reason for the debate is because someone in your family may get upset if you elope. Bottom line, you two are the only ones that matter when it comes to getting married. A reception when you get back is a great idea because it creates a more relaxed atmosphere. The best reception I have ever been to was just like the one you asked about. It is your day, so make it your way.
2007-05-25 04:33:14 · answer #6 · answered by Dave S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Elope! Video tape it or take a ton of pics...And when you get back have a reception planned for people to share this happy news with you. You can have the ceremony playing in the background with no sound just to have people view it. Or you can do a slide show and just do photos of the two of you as children and then when you met and then at your wedding. I don't think people will be upset. They'll actually be glad that you had the reception. Good Luck! This is exciting news! :-)
2007-05-25 02:55:02 · answer #7 · answered by Bea 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely can it's the same concept as if you were having a destination wedding and you could only invite a few guests to the actual ceremony. Send out invites and have a reception celebrating your new marriage.
2007-05-25 09:59:56 · answer #8 · answered by holmeskaykay 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes this has been done. Many people sometimes get married and then come to a specific area to have a party celebration, for family who can't travel.
On the party invitation, explain that this is a marriage celebration dinner, lunch, or party. You could even mention that you went crazy in Las Vegas, and ended up marrying this guy! Have an arrow pointing to a picture of your man dressed up as Elvis, or his face inserted into an Elvis body (people who know him will know its a joke)...and tell them that you want them, in all seriousness, to join you in celebration of your marriage to each other. I know that idea is out there and a little crazy. You can do whatever you want! You could even have a Las Vegas party in NJ dress up as Elvis and Priscilla, or not...who cares:-) Its an extention of you and your husband. Enjoy!
Its your marriage. Its your wedding. Its your celebration. How you do it is NO ONES BUSINESS but your own, as long as your heart is kind and thoughtful.
No gift required to attend. There are printers that make out invitations that have examples that you can look at...that were used in situations like yours...just shop around.
Good luck!!
2007-05-25 02:59:25 · answer #9 · answered by What, what, what?? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, people are doing this more and more these days.
Your invitations should say something like
Mr and Mrs John Smith
request the pleasure of your company for a celebration in honor of the marriage of their daughter
Jane Marie
to
Samuel Jones
son of Mr and mrs William Jones
I just recieved a letter on the no gifts advice from the Emily Post Institute the other day as we are facing the same thing, we dont want gifts either. They said it is appropriate to put "No Gift, please" on the bottom of the invite, so thats how you would handle that issue.
Go for it!
2007-05-25 02:55:49 · answer #10 · answered by kateqd30 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋