Reception after Elopement

Not at all! The invites would just say you're invited to the reception, which is completely fine!

I think it's perfectly fine. 2 days isn't bad.

I don't see why not! I love the intimacy of that idea.

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Aw thank you But when would we send the invitations because it would be too late to send them after we got married right?

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Thanks so much! When would you reccommend sending the invites though?

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Yes, send the invitations 6-8 weeks before the reception, just like you would for the ceremony and reception.

I think what others were trying to say was send an invitation for wedding/ elopement, then send a second invitation for the reception, with the latter noting it's a reception and not a ceremony.

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Well the thing is that they wouldn't be invited to the ceremony. So for the reception invitation, it would say, 'We said yes!' or like 'We're married' basically but we wouldn't actually be married until two days before the actual reception, like that's not weird? Does that make sense? Sorry I feel like it's so hard trying to put this situation in words haha

Thinking the same myself.Great ideal .Congratulations on your new journey

View Quoted Comment Thank you, Sarah. Congratulations to you as well! Less stress and more time to focus on the two of you.

We're having our party for our intimate wedding a week or two after. Maybe longer.....We don't know yet, lol.

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See I wish we could do that, but I want his family to be able to make it as well since they are already making the trip out to California. It feels so rushed but at least it will be a nice send off haha

We had a private ceremony and a big reception too!! Wouldn't have had it any other way.

We're having a courthouse wedding on a Friday with some friends/family followed by dinner, then the next day hosting a reception/celebration at a bar that we rented out. We're getting married in a few weeks and sent out invites in May I believe. Our wording was something like "We're Tying the Knot!" then said that we would be getting married in a private ceremony on X date and then something like "You're invited to celebrate with us on X date" and explained it would be a cocktail party with appetizers. I can't remember the wording now, but basically we let everyone know we were getting married a day beforehand and they were invited to come party with us the next day.

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Yes. This might help: https://www.brides.com/story/reception-only-wedding-invitation-wording

And IMO for the ceremony invitation: Your presence is requested at the marriage ceremony of Jaclyn to FH on xxx date at xxx time.

(You could include: reception on xxxx at xxxxx at xxxxx)

For the reception invitation: You're invited to celebrate the marriage of Jaclyn to FH on xxx date and xxx. (OR You're invited to a reception celebrating the marriage of Jaclyn to FH....) People might ask if you're already married or when you're getting married, it's okay to tell them you're doing a private ceremony a few days before.

We are having a large reception (approx. 135 guests) the day after our small ceremony (20 guests). The front of the invitation reads "Please join us as we celebrate the marriage of Name and Name" as well as the time and date for the reception. The back of the invitation details out that on Friday, November 2nd "Name and Name will be married in an intimate ceremony in the mountains near Name of City". Then under Saturday, November 3rd it details out the reception with address and everything.

All this information was already on our website when we did our e-STD's so there shouldn't be surprises when people get the invitations. Of course all guests have already been informed of the plans by us or our parents. The people who are invited to the ceremony are aware who they are so I didn't feel the need to do a separate invitation.

View Quoted Comment Ah that’s perfect! Exactly what we want to do but our reception would be more casual like on the beach in San Diego where most of my friends are. Do you know how we would word that? My parents think it would be weird to say it’s a “reception” because I meant there would be food but nothing special you know? Like they would rent out a little beach house but nothing super fancy.

I have a friend having thier reception 5 months after thier elopement. So no it’s fine.

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much!! That is super helpful! You don’t think it’s tacky or anything if the “reception” is more laid back and casual though like on the beach with my parents renting a little house and then some food?

View Quoted Comment Yeah, I get your dilemma. I think we said join us for a cocktail reception to celebrate our marriage! Or something along those lines and now I think maybe reception wasn’t the proper wording because we’re also not doing any “wedding activities”, we will have a couple toasts but other than that it’s just food and booze. but really reception just means to celebrate an event.

You could say something similar to what I said but use party instead of reception. As long as you’re making it clear that it’s NOT an invite to witness the ceremony you’re fine.

View Quoted Comment Also, it IS special even if it’s laid back and you aren’t doing the traditional wedding stuff, don’t down play it just because what you’re doing may not be considered normal!