Reception

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OP -- make sure you understand that the key here is that MrsWinteriscoming lives in AUSTRALIA where a wishing well is culturally acceptable. I get that, we have relatives in AU -- it works there, but when those relatives send wedding invitations to family in the US with a "wishing well poem," we all think it is super tacky because it is not the custom here (their mother is American and I'm pretty sure the practice makes her cringe, but she's given up at this point). If you live in the US (or another location where it is expected that one does not ask guests for money), I'd stick to those cultural customs. As many others have told you, it is highly unlikely you will have a positive response from your invited guests if you ask/expect them to pay to attend your wedding. Have the wedding you can afford -- there is nothing offensive about that. Like others have said, a simple, short, non-meal time reception where wedding cake and punch are served is a very budget friendly option. Good luck!

I wouldn't ask guest to pay for their meals. I wouldn't want to attend a wedding if I had to pay to come and eat. Perhaps try cutting expenses somewhere, something you can absolutely go without, maybe cutting the guest list or even just trying different catering options if possible. You could always serve finger food and cake or just have a small reception with dessert and punch just a way to mingle with your guest.

Is this post for real? Prepay does their meals?? I don’t even pay after the fact. Yes, you get a monetary gift but to expect people to pay for their meals is so rude. That wedding would be a hard no for me.

Prepay for their meals*

View Quoted Comment I think within the last decade I’ve seen more of the wedding baskets/wells/etc. If I don’t find anything meaningful on the registry I get a card for the wedding well. But, this shouldn’t be the way to pay for your guests because not every monetary gift will be the same. Some will pay 10$ and some 100$ or more. So, Stephanie you should still only invite the people you can pay for.

Truthfully, a lot of guests will bring cards with money to the wedding. I’ve actually never seen people bring physical gifts to the wedding itself and have only seen them given at showers. You’ll get some money back in your pockets after the fact. There’s no polite way to ask for money ahead of time.
There are a lot of ways to make a reception more affordable! You do not have to do a full meal. If you don’t, though, be sure to let guests know ahead of time so that they aren’t expecting one and can eat a bigger meal before the wedding than they normally would.

Of course, there’s also the option to cut the guest list. I would look at the options and costs of each and then weigh the pros and cons. Good luck!

No, absolutely not.