Elope, Party Later?

I recently looked up this exact same question and believe I got my answers from an article written on a competitors site. It's perfectly acceptable to have a celebration party later. If I remember correctly the article said it is best within the first month or two, the longer you wait it may cause confusion and it's best not to have a party post one year. Also, you're on track to not include registry info on invites and to not expect gifts but with that said, friends and family may still want to give. Invites could be as simple as an announcement that your married and that you are hosting a celebration on said date and time. Rsvp's by website/email is acceptable and invites are mailed in double envelopes addressed more informally than a wedding invitation. I'm sorry I do not remember exactly how they suggested to address. Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with having a celebration later, friends of mine are asking if we plan on having a party when we return from our DW because they would like to celebrate with us. Because of their interest we are seriously considering.

Plenty of people do this, plenty of people don't tell anyone, they simply get married and celebrate later.

I"m easy with this one, but I don't really understand it unless there is some compelling reason to get married early (deployment, health insurance, visas). You can certainly have a private ceremony and then a party, but it doesn't really save you much planning, it just spreads it out.

I don't really understand it either. You don't rack up costs on the ceremony, so it wouldn't save much money. Is there a reason you want a private ceremony?

We're considering it. I don't know if we will, but if we do we will be finding an inexpensive (preferably hotel) venue that will let us bring in outside catering and alcohol, and hire a local BBQ place to cater (they make their own sauce and it's AMAZING!), and hire a bartender and supply the alcohol. Hire a DJ, and boom. Done.

Edit: we are only leaning this way because DF kind of wants to celebrate with his family. It's also like 1/4 the price if we do a reception here rather than just do it all together. If you're getting married locally, then I agree with pp, it isn't probably going to save you any cash or planning headaches.

It's fine, but it seems so anti climatic to me.

I wanted to do this but my husband was adamant we do the full wedding. I truly love this idea and it gives you the best of both worlds. A wedding day where instead of the chaos of a perfect ceremony and flawless reception you can focus on yourself and getting ready to be married. Then come back and throw the party you wanna have with your loved ones.

I am doing this. We are getting married in Vegas at a nice gazebo off strip with our closest friends, and then having a reception 2 weeks later at home. Why are we doing it this way? Well, FH loves Vegas and it's important to him, and I want a wedding at home with family. We actually managed to find amazing prices for both venues so we are not spending a lot of money to do this. We are registering still, only because I know my family and I know they will ask, but I made it clear on my website that gifts are not expected.

I guess I just really like the idea of having a private, intimate ceremony. Even like a destination elopement. Maybe that's a weird preference...I just get nervous when I think about standing in front of people and talking like that. But having people over for a cookout, that seems a lot less threatening to me. I don't know...maybe I'm just weird!

@Mrs. Koalajetski -- my FH is terrified of leaving his family out of the festivities, so my "reception" idea was kind of a best of both worlds idea for me. I get the intimate ceremony, and he gets a big party with family

Forgot to add before--my parents eloped and I just always loved the idea. Plus, we can do it on any day of the week; so we can make it the day of our anniversary even though that's a Wednesday this year and a Thursday next year, and still have people over on a weekend.