Reception self-pay non-traditional

I guess just don't put reception to follow anywhere on any invitation. Because there isn't actually a reception. ETA: I do think this is a shitty, shitty idea.

Hi Meghan,

I'm sorry but I don't think there is a way to communicate those plans without sounding like a complete jerk because that is a completely jerk-y thing to do.

Your reception, even if it is a small affair at a local restaurant, is still a thank you to your guests and you should be picking up the bill for their meals and drinks. Not what you want to hear, but this is the proper etiquette. The good news is, uou still have time to save if you are concerned about the cost.

You don't. its your wedding and you should provide for your guests during the ceremony and dinner to follow. That would be like me giving everyone a bill when they sat down at my reception.

I really don't think it's appropriate to ask people to travel to your DW and not give them a meal or even a slice of cake after.

It being a second wedding for both of you isn't an excuse for hosting poorly. You pay for dinner or you go alone.

I don't think there is a way to do this without sounding like a jerk. I think you should pick a venue that you can afford to pay for 30 people's dinner.

Don't do this!

So, guests are traveling to your wedding and you aren't providing them a meal after your ceremony? If you don't have the budget, then just elope with you and your fiance. To invite people to your ceremony and expect them to travel and not feed and host them properly is just plain rude.

Just elope. Don't bother with guests if you aren't going to at least thank them with a meal.

If you were having a local wedding I'd say just put ceremony only on the invite. But if you are asking them to fly out to see you get married you should thank them with a meal. Most DW come with packages like that. Maybe see what you can negotiate with the venue.

Please please please pay for your guests' dinner. Have some of them already booked their flights and hotels? You already know it's a jerky thing. Don't go through with it!

Traditional: wearing white

Nontraditional: wearing black

Traditional: hosting properly

Nontraditional: hosting properly

If you want to save money, save your guests money too by eloping. This is so inconsiderate.

If you are expecting your guests to travel to witness and celebrate your marriage, then a dinner at minimum should be provided. Either do the destination and elope with no guests, or find a way to keep the guest list small and provide a meal to your guests.

If you are expecting your guests to pay for a plane ticket and hotel to go to your destination wedding, you should properly thank them by hosting a dinner. It doesn't have to be fancy, but you need to host something for them.

You cannot do this. If you are having guests, you have to receive them in some way as a "thank you" for coming. You need to pay.

Non-traditional =/= non-etiquette.

You can have a non-white dress, no bouquet or garter, no DJ, no toasts, no shower, but you cannot ask people to witness your nuptials and not host them.

Oh geez. There's no good way to do this. There are cheaper options like Italian food and you can do buffets to help make it less expensive. I'd be pretty shocked if someone hosted a wedding where I had to pay for my own dinner after paying for travel, hotel, a new outfit, and a wedding gift. Also, consider maybe doing punch and cake reception and communicate that it is a cake and punch reception only.

No.

You can't invite guests to your wedding and not provide food/drink - ESPECIALLY at a destination wedding!

I think you've confused the terms "non-traditional" and "rude".

Wait wait wait...you want people to travel for a destination wedding and then you aren't even going to feed them? What the fuck?

If they're going to a destination wedding for you, THE LEAST you can do for them is buy them dinner and pay for their drinks. Non-traditional doesn't not mean bad etiquette.