We are thinking of having only a ceremony.... is that rude? We don't expect any gifts, but we are going to be inviting some people who will have to travel a long ways. Are Receptions necessary?
2007-09-12 18:23:51 · 41 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
6 out of 25 people would be more than 3 hours away "out of town" and they are more parents friends then ours. I know our friends wouldn't really care if we had a reception or not, I am more worried about the 6 from out of town who are of an older generation (all over 50), and thats about it.
2007-09-13 16:52:29 · update #1
I agree, it's totally inappropriate to expect guests to travel and attend your wedding and then not have a reception of any kind. Put yourself in their place - would you come all that way for just the wedding & no reception, no cake, no punch even, no time to even visit with the bride & groom? It isn't about the size or cost of the meal - it's about spending time with you & your hubby and the other family members and friends & seeing you get off to a good start as a new couple - that's what the wedding traditions are all about. You do them and yourself a disservice and are cheating everyone out of these moments by not having a reception - and I do think that later you will regret not having some of those moments and pictures. Please reconsider and at least do a brief "cake and punch" thing for the memories and spend at least 30-45 minutes with these folks.
2007-09-15 07:18:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
receptions are not necessary, however, people do rather expect something. perhaps you would consider having a small get-together seeing as how people are travelling to your wedding.
it doesn't have to be expensive at all! you could have them join you for a wine and cheese, or a wine and dessert, or a tea and cake, or a cocktails only, reception. you could do this in the church hall, or your home, if the weather is good you could do it all outdoors which would be lovely. if you are being very casual you could do a b.b.q. i think if you don't spend an hour or so with people in this type of setting you will regret it - if nothing else you want the opportunity to visit with your guests and a small get-together after the wedding would accomplish that. at the bottom of your invitation you would just say 'light refreshments after the ceremony'
if you decide not to do anything you need to put that in the invitation. 'no reception following ceremony'.
whatever you choose, have a lovely wedding and a good life.
2007-09-13 13:18:22 · answer #2 · answered by itsjustyouandmebabe 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I've done a wedding that was just the ceremony only. It was a small wedding with maybe 50 guests total in a small historic chapel for an older couple. There was no reception after wards. This wedding was held on a week day where people had to take off of work to attend. I felt it was a little awkward that there wasn't something provided for the guests. My suggestion would be to have a small reception especially if you some guests that are traveling a distance to attend your wedding. It doesn't have to be fancy it can simply be your wedding cake and punch. You can do this immediately following your ceremony if your venue allows it. I just think it's a nice gesture on your part and you can specify this on your wedding invitations so no one gets the idea that you are having a full reception. "Cake and Punch reception to immediately follow the ceremony". Although it is your day and you can do whatever you like for your wedding be a gracious hostess and provide something for those guests traveling a distance to be with you on your special day.
2007-09-13 03:39:42 · answer #3 · answered by holmeskaykay 4 · 5⤊ 2⤋
All a reception is is a get together after the wedding to celebrate the union. If you're only having a few people at the wedding, you can have a small gathering outside the church and go on to the honeymoon. Your friends and family will just have dressed up to go see you say I do. They will be on their own as to if they want to make their own party. It's not necessary, it just wraps things up. For those traveling a long way, they can stay at a local hotel/motel and go home the next day!? If you decide not to have a reception be sure to let the guests know in the invitation, so they aren't left wondering after the wedding. Best wishes! =)
2007-09-12 18:37:21 · answer #4 · answered by DB 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
a reception is just the wind down part of the wedding to see the family that came eat and enjoy the night before you move off to be well whom ever the last name is.
I had a really small one at my house just family so i could have a cake it was a home made cake and some hot dogs and hamburgers. We did it cause there was people coming from a long way but in the end only 20 people came to the house out of 78 cause its was for only family.
I liked it small and didn't cost that much.
Know my cousin just invited every out for dinner you pay your own and that was all they did. i think the wedding was at 3 and i know we ate at 8:30 cause i ran late lol.
But do you have to do it no like i said before its just to thank the people that came and say hello. Its all up to you
Grats and good luck
2007-09-12 18:34:26 · answer #5 · answered by Wyldfire 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its not rude i guess, its what you can afford. Remember most people come for the reception than the wedding its self. But if you let everyone know its just a ceremony and no party afterwards they get to make a decision. It all comes down to what you two want. This is your moment and special day, dont let anyone talk or convince you to do what they want.
2007-09-20 11:12:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you expect people to travel a long way you really should have a reception. besides why wouldn't you want a reception that's the best part of a wedding getting to show off your new Bride/Groom and just having fun with your friends and family. After all the planning for your wedding you deserve it anyway! If you really just want a ceremony maybe you should go to Vegas or the court house you could bring a few people with you. if you really want a few friends or family there to witness your day .
2007-09-12 18:38:06 · answer #7 · answered by ms.pookie 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
A ceremony is about 10 to 15 minutes long. I don't think you should expect people to come all that way and not thank them for coming with a dinner of some kind. The reception is the celebration, without it the ceremony is just a legal matter.
2007-09-13 02:58:03 · answer #8 · answered by Luv2Answer 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
I think if you don't do a reception you should at least give the out of town guest tickets to a show or a gift card to a restaurant.
2007-09-20 05:56:16 · answer #9 · answered by My Three 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you should have a reception, especially since people are travelling to get to your wedding. Of course seeing the ceremony is great, but the reception is where people get to mingle and spend time with you, your new spouse and other family and friends.
If it's for money reasons, you don't need to do a huge dinner. My friend had an appetizer/finger food reception where there were only a few chairs/tables and everyone mingled. Another friend had a dessert reception where there were cookies, squares, cake, etc. Neither of these receptions had dances.
2007-09-13 01:13:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋