Courthouse wedding/ reception

I'm following because I've been thinking the same thing

Know someone that had a very private ceremony with just their teenage children standing up (blended family) & had a reception with their friends/family immediately afterwards. Totally not weird! Their photographer was even able to get a pic framed/displayed of their ceremony.

I would think if you are having a reception...yes, you should register (just don't list this on your invite). I don't see a problem with a friend or family member putting on a bridal shower either.

As long as it's JUST immediate family, so no-one can get offended at not being invited to the ceremony, I think it's fine.

This is not weird at all.

What Ambrok said

My brother sort of did this. Big BBQ the night before for everyone, then afternoon courthouse wedding, then dinner for immediate family and very close friends in a private dining room at nice restaurant. Everything was beautiful and no one seemed offended. There was no bridal party or shower but I think that was a personal choice not a necessity.

Yes, I think that's weird. The reception is the expensive part. Why cut people out of the ceremony? That's the important/meaningful part of the day. It seems pretty harsh to tell your friends and family that they are good enough to party with and bring you gifts but not good enough to be included in your actual wedding.

I think if you just have a courthouse ceremony, people understand that you can only have a very limited number of guests. So inviting people to the reception and not the ceremony is fine.

The only issue is why you want a courthouse wedding. You're not really saving a lot of money over hiring an officiant to conduct the ceremony the same place you have your reception--and then everyone gets to be there for the ceremony, which is the reason for the day.

As far as a bridal party goes, their duties relate to the ceremony. So unless the courthouse can handle having a bridal party (unlikely, beyond perhaps two witnesses), you'll probably do without. You can have a registry, so long as you follow the same rules as anyone else (no putting it on the invitations). As for a bridal shower, those are always given by someone who offers to do it. If someone offers, you can accept.