Reception dilemma

I do agree with your mom on this one. If you are inviting people to attend your ceremony, then it is proper etiquette to host a reception as a thank you for attending. However, there are cheaper reception options. For instance, you can host a cake & punch reception...as long as it's during non-meal times (like early afternoon, between lunch and dinner).

The ceremony is at 3 so that sounds like a better idea. Thank you.

I also agree with your mom. How far are people traveling? If they are traveling far enough to require a stay at a hotel, I personally think you need to host a full meal for them. If you choose to go the cake and punch route, it should end no later than 5 so perhaps you might want to look at pushing your ceremony time up to have more time to thank your guests for coming.

It'd be really odd not to. But like PP said cake and punch for a short period of time is completely fine and won't break the bank. If you want to be real cheap and really short don't serve alcohol, people will mingle for a bit then naturally start to head out.

Definitely have a reception to thank your guests for attending your wedding.

If people are coming in to travel for (maybe) an hour long ceremony only, that would be a lot of money and effort. They should be taken care of for that reason so I would say a simple small reception (maybe lunch or something) to thank them and enjoy it all together rather than them come and leave. If you want the money, I'd say just go to the courthouse with your in town closest members.

I agree with your mom. There needs to be some kind of reception. It doesn't have to be a big reception with a DJ and all that. It could be a cake and punch reception or you could take everyone out to dinner after the ceremony (you would pay for everyone).

Agree with your mom… your reception is a means of thanking your guests for attending your ceremony. You do not need to have a long reception nor spend a lot of money - given the time of your ceremony, some drinks and snacks would suffice

Thank you all for the help!

If you invite guests, you need a reception. You host them as a ‘thank you for coming /witnessing our marriage/ supporting us’ ...
IF you do NOT want a reception, that’s fine— just, don’t invite guests to the ceremony.

View Quoted Comment Point well made— there’s no requirement for all of the traditional to-do. Just something to spend a little time with the guests, some eating drinking and mingling. No need to spend tens of thousands or get caught up in formalities of dances and djs and cake cutting. Perfectly fine to keep it simple and affordable.

View Quoted Comment I totally agree. I think if guests are driving more than an hour a full meal is proper etiquette. If only a few guests need to travel, I would put “cake & punch reception to follow” on your invites to let guests know so they can decide.

View Quoted Comment Agree with this too. Invite the guests you can afford to treat to a nice brunch or dinner after at a restaurant. You can send everyone else a marriage announcement/photo after your wedding. 😊

Do what you want!

receptions are truly where a bulk of your costs go.

if they're adamant about you hosting something for those guests [which is a polite thing to do] than you can try just a cocktail hour or like someone said, a cake and punch hour after

i've seen weddings where they forego a traditional reception in favor of something more affordable like just some finger foods or some dessert. it's kind of nice because it gives you a chance to socialize with guests right after

I would expect people to not come at all if it's only a ceremony and they are supposed to travel in. I've never heard of a ceremony without a reception, maybe consider eloping?

The reception is to thank your guests for attending your ceremony! It can be a simple cake and punch reception if it's a non-meal time. Either way, host your guests and make sure they're well thanked

Thank you for asking! I was literally going to post the same question! We are eloping in Hawaii to spend money on what we want and I don’t want to throw a reception. There is no cheap way around it. All of the catering, D.J., venue, etc. Why am I paying for a party for others when it is my wedding? I feel ya girl!