Reception after destination wedding- less special?

I don't think that it will feel less special. I like the idea of showing the video.

Eh. This is ok only if your immediate family or less is invited to ceremony. BFF should be a guest not a DJ. Don't make your reception guests sit through a video of your ceremony that they weren't invited to. That's all I got.

You are going to get different opinions on this. A friend of mine did it and all of the friends who went said it was so much fun and great to celebrate the wedding. I was at the ceremony and wish I had gone to the reception event. The celebration after the ceremony was nothing exciting.

I know this is unhelpful, but you know your crowd best. Do you think they would think it was less special? If I did it, I think my family would think it was a waste of time. I can hear them now "you are already married! Why celebrate now?" They can be a bunch of party-poopers though. When I think about my FH's family though, it is a different matter. They would love to celebrate no matter what and it wouldn't feel less special to them.

Absolutely less special! The whole point of the reception is to thank your guests for witnessing your marriage. Without witnessing the marriage it's just a big party. Still fun if there is an open bar and good food and music, but not special the same way a wedding is special.

I would call it a "celebration of marriage," not a reception.

Also, if you go this route, I would not recommend playing the video of the ceremony for your guests.

If some of your guests are already giving you this feedback, then it's true. If they're saying that's how they feel, then it's true, that's how they feel.

There may be some that are unable to travel for their own personal reasons. So this is a great idea. A friend of mine did this and it was a success.

The couple still dressed up (in more comfortable attire) and did the same dance routine that was shown at the main reception. It really made everyone feel included.

Either way, remember this is your day so if you want to do a "post reception" then do it.

I've been to a reception that happened a whole YEAR after the private DW. It felt just as special and memorable and we were honored to be invited, more so because they were already married and we knew it wasn't a huge, include everyone affair. It was just as gorgeous and special as any other wedding I've been to. And the couple seemed a lot less stressed

Also don't play the taped ceremony. That's the one thing that will make this uncomfortable.

No that is a bunch of hog-wash!

I will have a wedding and reception in my hometown, and a week later my Future In Laws are hosting a reception in their hometown- 350+ miles away. If anything most people are happy to be included in on the celebration of two lives joining... it doesn't matter if they weren't there for the ceremony.

I think it kinda depends on who you have invited to the ceremony. If it's only immediate family then go ahead with it. If friends are invited and some are going to celebrate twice, then I think it's less special. As for the video, maybe it could just be playing in the background as your guests arrive. This way no one really feels like they have to sit down and be quiet for something they really weren't invited to.

We are doing the same thing. I don't think so at all. We also are keeping photos quiet and off of social media so that everyone sees it for the first time at the reception back home. (My sil though messed that up and posted pics after being told several times not to!). I think it's just fine to do it the way you are!!!

Personally, I don't feel like a reception only holds the same specialness as an actual wedding. It's just a party. I like parties but I'm not going to go out of my way to attend one or prioritize it like I would a wedding.

But it's not pretend. Everyone on the guest list believes in the significance of what they're attending, and it's very clear that this is a newlywed couple, so I get don't get where the pretense issue comes in. Less special? Less special than what? A reception immediately following a wedding ceremony?

Your wedding day, and IMO, that's the day you exchange vows and sign the license, will be one of the most special days of your life, and it will be that special because it's a very unique life experience. The actual act of joining your life to another person is right at the top of life's "special" list. Yes, there will be a level of excitement and emotion that will be completely unique to the wedding day, but that doesn't mean that a post-wedding day celebration falls into the "pretend" or "not special" category. Of course it will be special, but special in a different way. It will be special in that you are able to witness, first hand, the physical presence of so many who wanted to seize the opportunity to surround you, celebrate you, and send you off into married life with the knowledge (and visual) that you have the support and good wishes of your guests. The only thing that could turn a post-wedding celebration into anything less than special is if it becomes an annual event. Then, it falls to the level of Thanksgiving (i.e., "hey, wanna blow off the big family dinner and order Chinese this year? We can always make it up next year."), lol.

Have a special, real celebration of marriage in the company of those in your world. I hope the party rocks and your guests are talking about it for years to come (in a good way, of course).

We are having an intimate ceremony and a larger reception and I am worried about the feelings that we have hurt but we are pretty private people so...

I think if the ceremony is only immediate family, then it makes more sense.

Considering that many people skip the wedding ceremony (where I live), I couldn't imagine everyone being offended or less excited because they didn't witness the ceremony.

If you are going to show the ceremony, have a professional videographer create a highlights video. It's like 2-3 minutes. Much more interesting to watch.

I have to agree with your friend. Either have a DW and those who come, come or just do a local wedding. I don't really get the reception after personally