Immediate family ceremony, friends and family reception

I think that if you're inviting people to the reception they should be invited to the ceremony as well. I suppose it's not that big of a deal but I would feel weird getting just a reception invitation myself unless you made it very clear that you were just having only an immediate family ceremony.

There is another bride on here who is doing this. I don't actually think it's that rude, if you are truly doing immediate family only, and have it worded as a private ceremony.

I've never been invited to something like this, but if you truly are doing a private ceremony and a well hosted reception for your larger group of guests, I don't think it's a big deal.

In my opinion, I think as long as you keep the ceremony very small to immediate family (like you listed) then it is ok to have a family ceremony and bigger reception. Where people get "side eye" is a 50 guest wedding and then a 150 guest reception.

I have attended 2 receptions for which the ceremony was family only. My daughter just attended one recently. It didn't bother us because we knew the couple was choosing to have an intimate family ceremony.

I agree with Angela's comment. I've never been invited to anything like this but I think that it should be only immediate family/your witnesses for the ceremony and it should be called a private ceremony.

I am doing a private ceremony and a large reception. I have ever not gotten anyone legit upset about it. 1 aunt told me I couldn't my other aunt told her I was still having a party and that was the end of it.

Your invite should be for a reception celebrating the marriage of

And the small ceremony should be truly private and small (mine is parents, siblings and their partners, and each of our closest friends and their partner)

There is no reason everyone needs to witness your ceremony if you are uncomfortable with it - and that is not me saying 'this is my day' I am properly hosting my friends and family at the reception

Yes - Erin was the one I was thinking of! Knew you'd chime in

That's what we're doing very small intimate ceromony with immediate family in Mexico and a big party back in the uk once were back to celebrate with everyone.

We had an intimate wedding out of state and are having a large get-together in our home state. It's really not rude.

Just remember to word invitations correctly- it's more an announcement/celebration/reception for an intimate wedding. I'd also consider doing it on another day, but that's not totally necessary, truthfully.

Do what you want! To heck with the rest!

I was invited to a wedding reception, an "I Do BBQ." The couple had a small ceremony the week before with just family, but still wanted to celebrate with family and friends. I thought it was really nice and it didn't seem to bother any of us who missed out on the ceremony. I'm sure if you had a more formal reception, it would still be ok.

Yes, is common. It is not rude as long as you truly keep the ceremony to immediate family only. When you start adding a friend here or a cousin there, that is when it starts to become rude because it looks like you are ranking some people over others.

I am doing this. Ceremony will be immediate family only (10 guests) and reception will have about 30 other friends joining. Extended family are not local - we are doing something separate with them closer to their home (my old home) around Christmas. I know it isn't traditional but it works for FH and I.

Hahaha yup. I have no issue - I am honest about the deal - some people are surprised but you need to do something your comfortable with.