How do you feel about just having a Reception Only?

The reception is where more of the money goes since it's like buying food for so many people. I love the idea of a small ceremony, it does make it more intimate

I don't think skipping the ceremony is going to save you as much as you think. I would estimate about 10% of our budget is going toward the ceremony.

I think that’s smart! We are doing something similar. We invited those we are closest to (about 50) and are having a short and sweet ceremony followed by a fantastic party! I’d rather out the extra cash toward our house or a honeymoon.

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Yes, that's our thought, but you know how you can get "wedding shamed" LOL

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I don't agree, venues, decor etc... can get pricey along with the officiant and the Wedding party, dresses, flowers etc... We are cutting that out.

The ceremony really doesn’t have to cost much money! You can have the ceremony in the same room as the reception so you don’t have to pay for an additional venue. You don’t have to have a wedding party. If you have a pretty venue, decor isn’t necessary (we literally didn’t have any decor at our ceremony or reception and it wasn’t missed at all). If you’re in a state where it’s legal to get ordained online, you can just have a friend or relative officiate!

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I see where you're coming from, but with most weddings, food and drink are at least 50% of the budget. Almost all of the weddings I've been to in the last 5 years have been held at one location only, so skipping the ceremony wouldn't have saved money on any of those three huge expenses. If you've found a way to save a significant amount of money by skipping the ceremony, more power to you!

My future brother in law eloped in Jamaica (combination honeymoon) and they just had a reception with close friends/family when they returned.

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My thing is, Everyone invited to the Receptionist is not privy to the ceremony you know. I a big person on the levels of association. you have "associates", "Friends" and "Family" and I don't want Associates to be at the most important part of the events, but they are important enough to celebrate with.

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That sound awesome too! LOL Kill two birds with one stone If I had it my way I'd just do it and be like Guess what "its done!" but I know my mom would have a fit LOL

Skipping the ceremony isn't really much of a savings. It's not like the reception, where the cost is based on the number of guests. The ceremony space is usually a one-time fee, no matter how many guests you have.

All the money goes to the reception.

Last year my son and his fiancée did a very small ceremony with only about 18 people and then invited another 75 to the reception. They wanted a very small private family service and nobody thought anything of it. It was beautiful and the reception was great. Do whatever makes you happy!!

I've seen folks save a huge chunk of money by inviting some people only to "After dinner dancing and dessert", and only hosting dinner for those who were at the ceremony.

Some may see it as a little rude but in my particular circle it was just fine.

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Thank you Cindy! that was really encouraging, I just know there might be push back in the family because people are not invited to that part. but we want it small and with really our siblings and the people that raised us.

I will preface this by saying we had a large wedding but there were still people that we couldn't afford to invite. In my mind, if they are not important enough to you to be invited to your ceremony - then why are they being invited to your reception? Technically your reception is a thank you to your guests for attending your ceremony. Now, people have had a small private ceremony then a larger reception and there is no qualms about doing that. How big or small you want your wedding to be is your choice. Anyone who complains about that is the rude one, not you!

Funny enough, I am contemplating the same thing or something similar. My finance he wants a big wedding. SMH. I’m all about saving money! So I told him I would like him to consider doing a 2 person elopement and then having a Marriage Celebration after the fact. Something totally practical! I love the idea though....let me know what you decide. Maybe it will help me too. Lol

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I sure will! The more I think about it the more I want to do it that way. I want to have a nice Reception, and a GREAT HONEYMOON! So that shows how I want the money to be distributed. I also thought about just DOING IT and being like yeah we been married LOL, but I know my mom would have a cow! I am minimalist, so all this party planning is tiring to me.

View Quoted Comment I totally understand! I forget how she did it but I think she had 2 different invitations that she sent out. Most people didn’t even know they weren’t coming to the ceremony until they got there and it was time for the reception and I just went around and talked to people if they had any questions or comments and said they wanted a very private ceremony and everyone respected that. Good luck