Wanting a party instead of a reception?

Question

We are looking to get married. I do not want to spend a lot since we already have kids. I was thinking intimate courthouse in the day and maybe Friday/Saturday evening rent a social hall to just have a party. I like the idea of a restaurant catering our fav foods, open bar, dj and just make it very fun and informal. I would not want any china etc, we could do paper plates, no dress code. I would probably just wear a party dress since to the courthouse probably wear a white suit. I would just send out regular written invitations and just say its a party to celebrate our life together and I would not want any presents. I would just want this to be a fun evening for friends, family to enjoy plus we are really laid back so this would be great for us however many of our friends had lavish weddings/receptions so I am sure this will catch them off gaurd and they will probably criticize us for celebrating our wedding this way. What would you think if you were just invited to a party?

Answer 1

I would think that it sounds like you've got your priorities straight, and I'd be SUPER EXCITED to be invited to your party!!

Don't feel compelled to do something extravagant to keep up with the Joneses. Seriously. If you just want to have a celebration party, do it.

Best wishes to you!!!

Answer 2

A wedding reception is a party, so you do your party the way you want to. Instead of writing invites which could get tiring - I would print them up on the computer. You can get blank ones from Michaels or AC Moore for like 15 bucks, or more decorative ones for a bit more. Save your 40% off coupons and you've got it made! Staples also has fun 8 1/2x11 paper that you could use too with regular envelopes. Congrats and have fun with it.

Answer 3

I think it's great, but skip the open bar; one dj told me he won't work at a reception with an open bar because the guests get violent. If you really want to encourage drinking there with your kids, give a couple of free drink tickets to each adult and they can pay more that they drink.

OTH, Miss Manners says that it's rude to say "No Gifts" because that implies that you thought they were obligated to bring one. Written invitations are so classy. Put in the part about celebrating with the people you love. When someone asks your mother or best friend about what to bring, their response should be, "Oh, they're not expecting any presents. They can hardly find a place for what they both have now." This might lead them to give money, "not that that's a bad thing."

Someone will bring something. Hide it in another room and refuse to open it or mention it that night. It's tacky to bring gifts to a reception anyway and this isn't a reception.

Answer 4

Well I think as long as it does not take away from the vows, then more power to you. People spend too much money on the perfect wedding and reception and nobody cares what it was like anyway. No one cares that you spent $10,000 on the dress.

I think it is a great idea. No stress, no headache, just enjoy the day.

Answer 5

If I was invited to party to help someone celebrate their new life together without the formal setting of a reception, I would be thrilled.

It is a great idea just to have people come and celebrate your new life. As for the invitations, I would put come and join us in celebration of our new life together. NO GIFTS NECESSARY AS , Your gift will be your participation at our party.

Good Luck to you

Answer 6

I would do it!
Having been to both the lavish and more informal reception events, I feel a little more at ease when it's informal.
If your friends were to criticize you, I would have to wonder why they are criticizing and not happy for your joyous day.
It's your day, it's your celebration - go for it!
My reception was very informal and everyone had a great time.

Answer 7

so a strategies as your gown, for a vow renewal you need to use any gown you like. there are a number of real looking priced outfits you would be waiting to discover. you need to even do a lay a trend at many bridal shops and pay a sprint at a time til next year. Now on the marriage section.... you are able to purely have one million wedding ceremony in step with better half (or in step with marriage in case you divorce then remarry the guy). in case you're married in a courtroom dwelling house, church, park, sea coast, etc it particularly is your wedding ceremony. wedding ceremony: criminal end of the marriage (requiring a marriage license, officiant and witnesses) A vow renewal: no longer a marriage because of the fact there are no criminal ends to it, you do no longer want a marriage license or any witnesses considering which you're already married. in case you come to a determination at a later date to have a social gathering, you would be having a vow renewal ceremony, no longer a marriage. it particularly is as small or as tricky as you opt for. it particularly is comparable to a marriage yet no longer surely a marriage considering which you're already married. some people in spite of the undeniable fact that, will see it as a redo considering which you probably did no longer have a "suited" wedding ceremony at first. some will look down in this, maximum with a bit of luck would be chuffed to share your exhilaration with you. once you're already married and went to the courtroom dwelling house, you've gotten a social gathering yet its no longer a marriage ceremony. the clarification would not count number. Etiquette sensible so a strategies as presents it its a vow renewal you may point out no presents, please. good success

Answer 8

I think it's a great idea! But, as a guest, I would still bring a present. Make sure to clarify things on your invitations that might throw guests off or confuse them (gifts, dress, etc)

"Come join Suzy and Steve to celebrate their wedding at a reception to be held at XYZ Hall on DATE at TIME. Come as you are! Your presence is the only gift we request."

Answer 9

It sounds like great fun, and a wonderful celebration. I wouldn't worry too much about what other people might think, or compare it to their weddings. To each their own. And, if they really are your friends, they'll just be happy for you--you're probably overthinking that one. It's not the setting, it's the occasion!

Answer 10

I would think it's great. You shouldn't worry about what your friends think in this matter. Trust me, they're going to have fun and wish you a happy life together.

BTW, we had very limited funds and rented an outdoor pavillion at the Knights of Columbus. We had our "reception" catered and it was a Pig Roast! I sent out home-printed wedding invitations that stated that an outdoor Pig Roast was to follow the ceremony. The JP married us out on the lawn and then we ate roast pork, corn, beans, biscuits, etc. And the hall charged $1.25 a beer and equally small amounts for liquor. Everyone dressed casually and I played horse-shoes in my dress.
I decorated the tables with piggy banks ($1.00 ea) with balloon bouquets tied to them. My guests were fighting over the darn things. For favors, I bought little wooden cut out pigs, painted them pink, glued magnets on the back, wrote our names and the date on the front, then decorated them with tiny top hats and lace veils. People still have them on their fridge and we got married 7 years ago.

My friends and even my sister (she's a doctor) had very expensive weddings, but I think that I had more fun at my own wedding than they had at theirs. Even if I had $10K or more to blow on a wedding, I wouldn't have....I would've bought a house!

Good luck to you and follow your heart. I still get comments about how much fun we all had.