my cousin is getting married in 2 weeks. We are not very close. (and the past 3 years her dad and my dad have been fighting and he isnt even invited). I am bringing a date who doesnt know anyone. I also get uncomfortable in churches because i am not religious at all. I would like to just go to the reception.
2007-07-24 16:59:54 · 16 answers · asked by Jersey Girl 25 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
The reception is to celebrate the wedding. The wedding is only normally about 30 minutes. I understand your discomfort, but many times people who just show up for the reception are percieved as just coming for free food and alcohol. The bride and groom invited you to witness their marriage, THEN to celebrate with them. Unless you are a doctor, nurse or an EMT, there is no reason why you should not be able to sit for 30 minutes so they can exchange vows.
2007-07-25 01:29:03 · answer #1 · answered by Kat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not being religious is not a good reason to not attend a cousins wedding in a church, no matter how close you are or are not.
I personally think it is rude to miss the ceremony and then go to the reception, unless there was some GOOD reason not to.
I would go to the ceremony and reception.
2007-07-25 10:14:00 · answer #2 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is very rude to attend a reception and not the ceremony. I will be VERY upset if my guests do that (especially my family members!!!) The message that it sends to the bride is "I didn't think it was important enough to actually SEE you get married, but I'm more than willing to show up for free drinks and food." Unless you have a very good reason for not attending the ceremony (and not being comfortable in a church is not a very good reason), you should go.
2007-07-25 09:28:49 · answer #3 · answered by corinne1029 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, its not mandatory....but skipping the ceremony may really hurt the bride and groom's feelings. Personally, I would be very saddened that someone would choose to avoid my ceremony, and yet partake in the party. Was I only "good" enough for free food and dancing?
Be supportive of your cousin. The ceremony only takes a little while, and it may mean a lot to her to have you there. That's why she invited you in the first place. It's really a small sacrifice, and then you can attend the reception guilt-free.
2007-07-25 08:57:04 · answer #4 · answered by elsie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why should you be uncomfortable in the church just because youre not religious? Thats a lame excuse. I really think you should go- after all, you were invited to a wedding. She wants you there as she takes this big step.
If you cant be genuinely happy for her, just dont go to the wedding & reception at all.
2007-07-25 01:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by fizzy stuff 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would go to the ceremony. I'm also not religious at all but have been to numerous church weddings - just pretend it's not a big deal, and it won't be.
If you go just for the reception, it can look like you're going for the free food and the party, and not for the celebration of their union.
2007-07-25 15:02:58 · answer #6 · answered by tink 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't believe you have to go to the church part of the wedding. Yes, the couple to be wed would love to have you there but in all honesty, they really won't see you until the reception so do what you feel comfortable with. They just want to share their day with you.
2007-07-28 18:04:35 · answer #7 · answered by garynjanice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once missed the wedding ceremony (because of traffic) and went to the reception. No one noticed that I wasn´t in the church, so for you, I would say, just don´t go to the ceremony, but attend the reception.
Don´t lie about going to the ceremony, just say you decided just to attend the reception to support the bride and groom on this new chapter in their lives.
2007-07-25 05:48:23 · answer #8 · answered by Learning is fun! 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pretty much - it's the MOST important part of the day! It's pretty rude to not go to the ceremony, but just to the reception!
2007-07-25 08:38:20 · answer #9 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally think that would be incredibly rude. The couple are no doubt spending quite a lot of money on your food and presence, I think going to the church to watch them get married is a small sacrifice.
I think if you're not going to the ceremony, don't go at all.
2007-07-25 00:37:57 · answer #10 · answered by choccay 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋