Reception question...

[Tiggerific04]

DF and I aren't having a Disney wedding (unfortunately) but I was hoping you ladies could help me out anyway...

We really don't want to have a reception, mainly because we don't have the money, but we do want people to be at the ceremony. We would go out to dinner with the bridal party that night instead. Has anyone done this before? Is there a proper way to word the invitations in this case?

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[jojoandhb]

I did some digging and found this:

Is it proper to invite people to the ceremony and not the reception. When I say people, I mean co-workers, casual friends, old high school buddies or college friends - all in town guests. We are having a nice reception and can't afford to invite everyone that we want. But we will still like them to be a part of the wedding, which is at a large church and can hold plenty of people. How can we go about doing this, or should we not invite them at all (although we really want to)? One option we have is to not put the reception card in their invitation, but should we tell them something, like, due to blah blah we were unable to invite all of our guests to the reception, but we would still love for you to attend the ceremony. Or what should we say? HELP!!

According to etiquette, everyone who attends the ceremony should be invited to the reception. It is acceptable to have a small ceremony and a large reception, but not the other way around. One way to handle the problem is to have a cake and punch reception at the church immediately following the ceremony for all of the guests followed by a private reception for close friends and family. However, there will still be some who will be offended when they learn that they were not included at the second reception.

 

[Laurafoster]

I agree, why not invite everyone to the ceremony and have a cake and a toast reception afterwards - like they do with Intimate weddings. Then have a nice dinner out with the Bridal Party that evening!

 

[twojo21]

i agree with laura.

anyone invited to a ceremony should be included in a reception thats just approriate period, even if its just cake & punch. you can just host that at the church a simple white cake & some punch less than $100 easy. then go to a nice dinner with your bridal party if you wish.

on your wedding invite under the ceremony details it would say:
cake & punch reception after the ceremony

 

[Tiggerific04]

Thanks, ladies! I had no idea these kinds of receptions even existed... I did some more research and have pretty much decided on a Dessert Reception

 

[juligrl]

I'm sure this is the origin of the Western PA pie & ice cream social!

A nice dessert reception for those who would like the opportunity to wish you well seems like it's your best option and you don't run the risk of offending anyone. Keep it alcohol free and you can do it on a shoestring budget.