Reception only invite

That's very rude. I've never been to one and not the other. Those that are angry have a right to be

There's nothing wrong with that as long as it's like, 5 people. Basically immediate family only.

If it's truly an intimate ceremony (brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents), I think perfectly ok.

If it's not, then yes, it's rude.

I have had a few in my family do this. It is not rude and did not take away from celebrating this special time for the bride and groom.

I am doing something very similar. We are having an intimate DW (6 guests) and then a fully hosted celebration party a month later.

I don't see it as rude if it truly is a private wedding . It could just be the couple wants an intimate ceremony.

I find it rude, sorry. I think the only way this isn't rude is if they have a celebration a month or more later. But to call it a reception and invite people not invited to the ceremony on the same day is rude IMO. If they want an intimate ceremony, they should have an intimate reception as well.

It's definitely not rude, as long as your ceremony is family only. I wouldn't have mentioned it on the invite though.

Your cousin is rude. Your mom and aunts are right

I don't think it's rude if it's only their immediate families, but I do understand that it kinda sucks as a guest. I was only invited to the reception of friends we're having at our wedding, and I feel a little bummed about it TBH.

It's pretty common, and totally not rude IF the ceremony is truly private. We have done many of these, motivated by different reasons; social anxiety, the desire to have ceremony that is very intimate....it's really their choice, and if it's only parents and siblings it is very understandable. It's when some people get invited and others do not that it gets a little dicey.

They need to get over it and either be so insulted that they don't go, or swallow it and get a grip on the idea that this is a highly personal moment that not everyone feels comfortable sharing as the center of attention. The reception is bit different; while the couple is still the focus, there are so many things going on at once, it's more comfortable for them.

We're having an intimate ceremony only parents grandparents and siblings then a larger reception . Reason being because my grandma can't travel much and she raised me . So we're doing a ceremony very close to her home .

I think this is perfectly acceptable!

This same thing happened to my fiancé. His cousin and her husband wanted to have a private ceremony. His sister was in the wedding party so she is automatically in, and his parents were invited as FH's dad is her only uncle. So my fiancé was not invited but his parents and sister were. Funny thing is that there are no issues and we all get along great. FH's parents are still bitter over this. It did not go over well and still is not spoken about. He was invited to reception only and to this day it's bad news.

It is their wedding.. but people have the right to have their feelings hurt.. just don't be bitter.

I was invited to a reception, and not the ceremony (it wasn't a family only ceremony). I wasn't really annoyed until after it was over and I thought about it. I don't blame them, but I feel like they only invited my FH and I because friends they did invite to both were staying with my FH and I (we are all mutual friends). I don't hold it against them, but I was a little annoyed at the time.

I think it is just parents, siblings, grandparents, and the couples best friends. I told my mom that if it bothered her that much all she had to do was RSVP no and that should be the end of it.

Only because I have photographed at historical places would I understand this. There are locations that have small numbers as their maximum.

ETA : I would not be offended by being invited to the reception only. I have seen too many reasons why it's a small ceremony and all reasons need to be respected.

OP you seem to have a good attitude about the whole thing. If this was one of my cousins, I would be bummed but wouldn't think it was rude based off of who you said was attending the ceremony. I'm only close with a few of my cousins so this wouldn't bother me, but my mom and aunts would probably have the same reaction as yours.

I'm having a private ceremony and I sent out invites for the reception and my parents are pissed too but oh well it's what we want. Not even our own friends are coming so I feel like I shouldn't have to invite my parents friends either!

It's not rude if it's literally only her immediate family (ie her parents and siblings) any more than that-- yes very rude