Courthouse wedding and dinner after

If you're "inviting" people to celebrate your wedding, you should most definitely be footing the bill for dinner. There's no polite way to word an invitation in which you're not hosting your own wedding celebration.

We did a dinner after our courthouse wedding, and told everyone dinner and champagne toast are on us, but drinks are on your own. I do agree that it's a bit rude to "invite" people to dinner but not pay. You can always contact the restaurant and create a limited menu.

Unfortunately there isn't a polite way to word this. Could you have it at a non meal time and host drinks and appetizers? That might be more cost friendly. Somewhere around 2 or 3 p.m. would be nice.

View Quoted Comment This. If dinner is too expensive, invite guests to a brunch and/or cut your guest list. Or, do a cake & punch reception at a non-meal time. If you choose the last option, I’d put “cake & punch reception” and a note about “no gifts please” because to not invite guests to the ceremony and to not provide a full meal but expect a gift seems rude/gift grabby.

You and your FH should be paying for the dinner. If you cannot afford this, skip the dinner and see if a family member will host a cake and punch type reception after the ceremony.