Catholic wedding with no reception

I don't really think that's appropriate after holding a religious ceremony. DH and I are also getting married in the church on our anniversary but I don't plan to invite anyone. I don't want to make it a big deal and really want it for the religious aspect. I cannot imagine going to party with a bunch of friends after. In the end though you have the right to do what you want to do and I'm sure you would have a good time.

If you do end up doing this I hope you pay for the limo and make it expected there are no gifts.

I agree with Laudie, I don't think it's appropriate after a religious ceremony either. How many people are you inviting? Can you invite everyone over to your house afterwards for snacks and drinks? Or even go somewhere for appetizers and drinks? I suppose it depends on how many people you will invite.

After 13 year of Catholic school, the one thing I took away with me was that Catholics LOVE to drink! I dont think there was ever a school fundraiser without alcohol! Hell my great-aunt is a nun and her and a few of her nun friends would get trashed at the family reunion. I dont think its a bad idea. But i would make it clear that you dont want gifts. I think i would do a drunken Bbq instead of renting a drunk bus, but thats just me. Are you having a full length mass?

What you do after the convalidation is up to you. I like the idea of a dinner in a restaurant. Maybe you could go out for a few drinks after that.

I'd be uncomfortable bar hopping after a religious ceremony. Not in church clothes.

The only people that will be invited will be both of our imediate families and a few close friends, my husband and I just want to have the mass and that is it, my sisters were the ones that actually suggested this idea. I was thinking if we did do something afterwards it would be like a small gathering at a restaurant (which later in the evening has a dance floor) and whoever wanted to join us would be more than welcomed to ( we of course would cover the buffet expense). We do not want/expect any gifts since we are already married and have everything we need, this will be communicated through word of mouth since we are not planning on having too many people join us. I'm just not sure on how to go about it, do I have invitations and if so what could be appropriate wording?

I'm with Lilly!! Us Catholics love to drink~

Sounds like a great plan.

Don't worry about sounding gift grabby--you're not having a shower or anything. I feel like if you're not having a super traditional wedding reception (dinner and dancing in a private venue), most people will not feel like you're just trying to get more gifts.

I'm not a huge fan of people having more than one wedding, but I like how you're handling it.

Also, if I were one of your guests, I'd probably be happiest going out to a nice restaurant. That feels more like you're clearly hosting dinner, whereas bar hopping sounds more like, "You can join us but we're not paying."

My church clothes are far different than my bar hopping clothes but as long as you invite everyone from the ceremony then sure why not

At least to one restaurant to meet you and have dinner after

Ummm...isn't a reception with a bar after a church wedding the same as "going out partying" after a religious ceremony? I say go for it

I agree with Tina... go out for dinner at a restaurant afterwards. Maybe it's just me, but bar hopping after going to church and with my parents, doesn't sound ideal. If you want to go out to the bars after dinner with your friends and siblings, that might be more appropriate. It also allows your parents to celebrate but not feel pressured to go to the clubs if that's not their thing.

I'm with Tina.

I'm a relatively devout Catholic and I see NOTHING wrong with what you have suggested in terms of your choice of celebration after receiving the sacrament of marriage. However, the reason why you are holding the ceremony in Church in the first place is kinda crazy. If you all are not religious you may want to reconsider this event entirely. It's really important that you know and understand the ritual and the why of it. I hope this is not offensive to you, but no one has the right to impose that upon you. Just my 2 cents. Regardless, if you're are doing this with full knowledge of what the sacrament entails then I say GO FOR IT! party bus is an awesome idea! Being a person of faith doesn't mean you have to be a prude. Tell your guests to bring a change of clothes for bar hopping though. ;-) and let us know how it goes :-)

I'm going to go against the popular viewpoint, and say that i have to problem with the bar hoping afterwards even if it was in a church.

I may have a jaded viewpoint since I grew up going to youth group weekends, and some of the stories about what you should hear the stories of what we did.

just because something is being done is a house of worship doesn't mean that it all has to be conservative.

I've never heard a rule stating that it's in appropriate to party after a religious ceremony of any kind.

I like your idea just fine I'm doing something very similar. ceremony is in a church chapel with a cake and drink reception afterwards. we could go bowling, going to a night club, whatever.

I personally think that if you can cut a cake afterwards go for it because it's festive and even if you did it before, I think guests will enjoy the cake cutting

I say stop worrying so much about what you are supposed to do and have fun

When my parents had their marriage convalidated by the Church 5 years after elopement, they just invited close family and friends as witnesses, and everyone went out for a nice dinner (that my parents hosted) afterwards.

I agree with Madeline.