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Just Said Yes August 2020

Ceremony only for wedding w/no reception?

Tania, on August 11, 2019 at 3:39 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 14

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Hey guys! So my fiancé and I are thinking about this whole wedding thing and are completely torn between a lot of options. We were thinking about having the ceremony and possibly no reception afterwards. With approx 110 ppl, maybe even less deleting on who RSVP. Just a few problems/questions we’re facing: 1)How do we go about just leaving after we say “I do?” Do we really just leave everyone hanging after we drive away in our “just married” labeled car? Lol And everyone goes home? Also how do we put that on the invitation if we don’t have anything following the Verne only? 2) if we do have a reception, what if we do a food bar or different stations? Instead of having everyone sit down and eat buffet style? Do we have to have the whole DJ, Dancing, and everything during the reception or should we do it all at the ceremony? Doing it this way is cheaper or about the same price as having a reception? Idk we are just trying to be smart about spending and still having to live after the wedding.

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14 Comments

Latest activity by Melle, on August 12, 2019 at 12:23 PM

VIP October 2020
Kelly · on August 11, 2019 at 3:47 PM
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I think having no reception is really odd. I would suggest to you having what is called a cake and punch reception where you just cut the cake, maybe some light snacks, have a few drinks and go home. You don't have to bother with a DJ or anything if you don't want to. It segues into a reception naturally, but isn't long or expensive.
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on August 11, 2019 at 3:47 PM
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It would be extremely rude to invite people to the ceremony and not thank them after with a meal. If you can’t afford to host 110 guests, cut your guest list or elope. I’m not sure what you mean about having a DJ and dancing at the ceremony. That’s not something I’ve ever witnessed, but maybe it’s a cultural thing.
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Just Said Yes August 2020
Tania · on August 11, 2019 at 3:53 PM
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Ok that makes sense, so more like a cocktail party after the ceremony.
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Just Said Yes August 2020
Tania · on August 11, 2019 at 3:55 PM
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Ok, yes I see where you’re coming from.
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Just Said Yes August 2020
Tania · on August 11, 2019 at 3:55 PM
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Thank you ladies!
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Beginner December 2019
Claudia · on August 11, 2019 at 4:05 PM
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We thought about this and decided to cut the guest list to 20. Serving dinner to 20 people is cheaper. We're closing the night with a bonfire.
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Just Said Yes August 2020
Tania · on August 11, 2019 at 4:08 PM
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Sounds ideal but we both have a biiiig families 😩 so that wouldn’t work for us. And I would feel bad inviting some people to the reception and some have to go home
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Master December 2019
Cher Horowitz · on August 11, 2019 at 4:10 PM
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Definitely have a reception to thank your guests for coming! You could always have your wedding at a non-meal time. This way you could have a simple cake and punch reception
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Expert June 2019
thisismrsb · on August 11, 2019 at 4:17 PM
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The reception is your gift to your guests as a way of saying 'thank you for coming out to witness our marriage.' You might be inviting people from other towns, states and countries to celebrate with you, so having no reception after the ceremony would be very odd. You can have a cake and punch reception with some music playing some music in the background. That basically requires serving some light refreshments and the wedding cake or cupcakes. It doesn't have to go on for hours. You can even have it at your house!

https://www.insideweddings.com/news/planning-design/is-a-cake-and-punch-reception-right-for-you/2999/
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VIP October 2020
Kelly · on August 11, 2019 at 4:26 PM
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Honestly cake and punch is even cheaper. Cocktail style food can cost a lot especially at 110 people. Do it early in the day, on a Sunday, between mealtimes, and you'll save a lot of money. If you want to go cheaper "off season" for weddings is November to about March, having it during those months might get you a lower rental price where ever you look.
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Champion August 2017
Mrsbdg · on August 11, 2019 at 4:45 PM
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I came to say exactly what Kelly said!

Cake and cocktails (or beer/wine) is a much more affordable celebration that can easily be DIY-d.
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VIP December 2019
Michelle · on August 11, 2019 at 4:56 PM
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You don't have to have a sit down dinner but you have to feed your guests. If you want something small have 10 people at the ceremony and take them to dinner at a nice restaurant but you don't invite 100 people and try not to host them, As a guest I would be pissed
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Expert October 2017
Florida Marlins · on August 11, 2019 at 5:34 PM
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Just to echo what other posters said, you can not invite 110 people to watch you get married then drive away. You do have options, like a 2pm wedding with cake, champagne, nuts and other snacks. Or you can cut your guest list down to immediate family and a few close friends and simply host a dinner for them. You don't need to have dancing if you don't want, that will increase costs a lot.
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on August 12, 2019 at 12:23 PM
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I would do something small after the ceremony. Like a cocktail hour or cake and punch. Just because ceremonies are so typically short, it would be nice to do something for the guests that come.
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