Wedding Party vs. Reception Party

Is it really distasteful to invite everyone to the wedding but only have a reception for family and close friends? My FH knows just about everyone in our town and to have a reception with everyone there (don't know exact number but a couple hundred at least) would completely blow our budget. So I suggested inviting everyone to the wedding but then only have our families and closest friends at the reception. Is that wrong?

Posted On: Nov 2, 2009 at 9:47 AM | Vendors are allowed to participate

Share | Add to My Watchlist | Flag As Inappropriate |

tiffsworld
Community Headliner

Wedding: 09/25/2010

9 Comments | Login or Signup to post a comment!


Tracey
Community Superstar

Wedding: 05/22/2011
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 9:52 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Hmmm ... some people might be offended. Can you do a cocktail reception instead a a dinner?

LovelyUnique
Community Megastar

Wedding: 02/11/2010
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 10:26 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
If I were someone invited just to the ceremony and not the recpetion, i might feel offended, left out. as if I were good enough for one but not the other.
are there any other options you can explore?

Soon2BeWifey
Community Superstar

Wedding: [Private]
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 10:32 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
I got invited to something like this. They just put nicely (in fine print) either on the invitation or program (i don't remember which) that due to space, it is Invitation only to the reception. Yea, some people might be offended but whatever. They'll get over it.
Actually, i think the put it on the program, not the invitation. They just had a separate inviation for the reception.

Aussie Bride
Community Megastar

Wedding: 02/07/2010
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 10:37 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
I have been to weddings before of co workers who only invited their closest friends and family to the reception. I was invited and others werent but everyone understood and were happy to be invited to the wedding anyway. I think if people have the choice of either just being invited to the wedding and not the reception or not being invited at all they'd choose to go to the wedding. In the end the wedding is to celebrate eachothers love and committing to one another the rest is the party and not everyone needs to be their for that.

Devine2Be
Community Superstar

Wedding: 08/13/2010
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 10:42 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
honestly, at times like these people should understand, but some still wont. no matter what you do, someone will always be unhappy about something that you choose to do with your wedding. personally, im inviting everyone on my guest list to both, but if anyone who isnt invited asks if they can come, im telling them anyone can come to the ceremony since itll be at a church. but reception is invitation only

yadayada
Community Superstar

Married: 10/30/2009
Reviews: 5
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 10:59 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
You should not invite people to the ceremony who are not invited to the reception. If you can't afford to have a reception for all of your guests, then you should keep the ceremony just as small. Another option would be to limit the reception, like just have it be appetizers, punch, and cake, so you can accomodate more people.

Future Mrs.Schmidt
Community Megastar

Wedding: 08/07/2010
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 12:13 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
I would be slightly offended if I were invited to the ceremony and not reception, especially if we had to travel. I would recommend cutting the guest list, or changing the time of the reception so you could have just a cocktail reception with finger foods and a cake. (Just make sure you don't hold a light refreshment reception at meal time ie: 6pm, people will be expecing a meal, and state the type of reception on your invite)

tiffsworld
Community Headliner

Wedding: 09/25/2010
Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 8:31 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
Thanks everyone for the responses! I figured that would be the response I got. Just wanted to ask though. lol
If I can find a place big enough (and cheap enough), we'll probably end up doing a cocktail reception. I'm already planning to do my own catering with finger food type items, except for the cake of course. So hopefully I can use that saved budget for the reception hall.
Thanks again everyone! :-)

Chevon's Bride
Community Performer

Wedding: 09/25/2010
Posted On: Nov 03, 2009 at 12:52 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
girl do what you gotta do. Bump that etiquette stuff. No one said you needed to follow it. If it doesn't fit the budget, your FH will have to understand.
Login or Signup to post a comment!