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Michelle
Expert July 2022

Formal Wedding but Casual Reception??

Michelle, on July 29, 2016 at 10:54 PM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 26

So I am in the early planning stages for my wedding and I can't figure out how to make this work. I want to have a formal catholic wedding at the basilica in my city. But I also want to have a super fun relaxed reception with a country, rustic theme. The reception will be in a barn on a plantation....

So I am in the early planning stages for my wedding and I can't figure out how to make this work. I want to have a formal catholic wedding at the basilica in my city. But I also want to have a super fun relaxed reception with a country, rustic theme. The reception will be in a barn on a plantation. Is going from a formal wedding to a casual reception strange? Should I tell my guest to bring a change of clothes so they can be comfortable? Or should I tell them to just dress down in general even though the wedding is going to be formal? Iv'e never even been to a wedding before so I'm a little lost. Any advice would be great.

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26 Comments

  • Mrs. TacoCat
    VIP September 2016
    Mrs. TacoCat ·
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    I'm not touching the plantation thing...

    Don't tell guests to bring a change of clothes and jeans are never acceptable to wear to a wedding. Period. It doesn't matter if it is Catholic or not....

    ETA - words are hard today

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  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    No plantation, no change of clothes. Is there a gap? That's pretty common for Catholic ceremonies.

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  • FreshToDeathAng
    Master September 2016
    FreshToDeathAng ·
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    I guess I'm just not really understanding the dilemma. Can you make the reception slightly less casual, so that people are still comfortable? If you don't say anything, people will dress appropriately for both occasions.

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  • Tina
    Devoted May 2017
    Tina ·
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    Making guests change their clothes midway would be extremely inconvenient.

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  • Rebecca
    Master November 2015
    Rebecca ·
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    Is the church aware you're already legally married? They would normally do a convalidation in your scenario, not a nuptial Mass. Get that sorted out before you continue planning.

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  • J
    Just Said Yes August 2072
    Jay ·
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    View Quoted Comment
    How did this go?
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