At Home Reception after Destination Wedding???

My nephew and his new bride did a DW in Vegas and had the reception after they returned home. She wore the dress - I loved it! Not only did it give her the chance to wear it one more time.... but the smile on her face and his to see her in it once more. It was like we just missed the ceremony. I say go for it!

My nephew and his new bride did a DW in Vegas and had the reception after they returned home. She wore the dress - I loved it! Not only did it give her the chance to wear it one more time.... but the smile on her face and his to see her in it once more. It was like we just missed the ceremony. I say go for it!

My brother had 4 receptions after his wedding. He had 3000 guest and every reception he wore something different and 2 of them the bride wore her gown. And there was a cake at each one. It cake ran them about 1500. So I would say do what's in your budget. I'm having 2 because I am also having a destination wedding but I'm not wearing my dress back home.

DW bride here. I just don't get the reception back home unless your having an elopement DW with like 10 people. Seems gift gabby IMO

This seems really gift grabby.

I agree with @LB, seems gift grabby if you really want more of your family and friends to attend rethink doing a DW

I think if it's more like a celebration than expecting gifts than why not. Who doesn't like food and music

I am having a tiny DW (six guests), and a larger celebration in our home state. We will be doing a first dance, but that is the only "traditional" reception activity we will be doing. The rest will just be a large party with lots of food, drinks, and dancing. @LB, even if the DW was larger I don't really see an at home celebration a gift grabby if it is properly hosted. A well hosted party isn't cheap, couples are probably spending more on it than they would be getting back in gifts.

What if I said something about not bringing gifts? Its not that we wouldn't want all of them there at the destination wedding but many dont have the money to travel

Doesn't matter what you're "expecting" people give gifts for weddings... sorrynotsorry

@BeachDreams, our DW is also quite small, family only and the bridal party. I like the idea of the first dance and then just having a large party, are you planning on wearing your wedding dress to both?

@OP like i said before i would rethink destination if i were you. If your friends and family cant afford to travel have the wedding locally or just accept the fact that a DW means less people can/will attend.

If i was invited to a DW and a party after in their home town my first thought would be that you want more gifts. ETApelling

@BeachDreams I agree

I am wondering about this as well. I am have a DW in Florida. Small guest list but even many of the invited guest probably will not come. I do not care about gifts either as many of them will be at my bridal shower next month. I was curious about a little celebration at home after the honeymoon and invite only the people invited to the wedding, but mostly for the purpose of celebrating with those who RSVP'd no. I know they would love to he able to come. Maybe show the video of the ceremony? Thoughts?

Lol sorry for all those typos!!!

My family lives to celebrate and party. Different strokes for different folks.

Sharon I like that video idea

I completely agree that it seems gift grabby. We are having a small DW and FMIL wanted us to do an at home reception. I declined because it makes me feel uncomfortable and I really don't want to come across at gift grabby.

One thing I'll mention is that you should make sure everyone is invited to both events. Otherwise the people not invited to the DW may be put out at being invited to celebrate something they weren't invited to.

Having said that, it does seem gift grabby to me. Doesn't sound like you care about that though. Don't put anything on the invitation regarding gifts, even "no gifts please".

Honest question for those who perceive it as gift grabby. If someone really just wanted gifts, wouldn't they just take the thousands of dollars spent on good food, open bar, and a great DJ and buy themselves the gifts they wanted?

OP, I haven't decided on whether or not I am going to wear my dress again. Most people are telling me I should, but I kind of feel a bit weird.