Skipping the ceremony and only attending the reception

That is weird. I feel bad enough having my reception about 20 minutes away from my ceremony, but two hours away? What a logistical nightmare! I think as long as you let the bride/groom know it should be fine. I mean, don't make a big deal, but day I'm sorry I'm not available for the wedding, but I'd be honored to attend the reception.

This is why gaps are bad - it puts people in an uncomfortable situation. In this case, I think it is okay to skip the ceremony - I never condone that, but given the distance between the two venues I think it's okay.

Also, please don't give us Italians a bad name....

If you want to go i think ita fine to skip the ceremony. i totally would in this case

WOW, talk a lapse in between ceremony and reception. I don't normally chime in on this type of question, but I feel it is acceptable to go to just the reception. (I bet you are not the only one to do this) Sorry, she is quite rude to tell you the minimum to give. I have never heard of such a thing.

(their Italian and only accept money) What????????

And sure, you can skip the ceremony. But I would skip the whole thing since it sounds like paying for admission.

I am embarrassed for my heritage!

People do that sometimes. It's weird, but they do it. Personally, I would just decline the invite.

Unless this was a good friend or family member I wouldn't even attend the wedding. To expect your guests to travel in two different directions and have a large time gap in between is a no go for me. On top of this they are demanding money for their wedding gift. Last time I checked a gift was an option not a requirement, let alone demanding a specified amount.

However, if you are determined to attend this wedding if you are close your presence will most likely be noticed. So you need to think of the side eye you might receive. If not I would just go to the reception your paying for your seat anyway.

I get it that they want money but putting a minimum amount is kinda tacky

The whole Italian thing sounds like a very poorly framed excuse for what is otherwise a horrendous etiquette breach.

I would honestly be inclined to skip the whole thing after that sort of comment from the bride, but that's up to you, OP. In this case, it does not seem unreasonable to just attend one or the other. The couple is putting their guests in a very difficult position in more ways than one.

I don't usually agree with skipping the ceremony and only attending the reception but in this case, skip it.

Also, I'm marrying an Italian (he's first generation American) and I've never heard such a thing about being expected to pay X amount. Yikes!

My moms side of the family is 100% Italian and my FILs are 100% Italian as well and that is not a thing. They are being rude especially since they are saying there is a minimum they expect every guest to give.

Oof. A minimum amount of money??? I would just nope the fuck out and decline all around.

I'd "regretfully decline" that invitation so fast my pen would be on fire . . .

While the distance and time variables are crappy, I'd at least consider the invitation. After being made to feel like I'm being charges admission, though? That's a great big NOPE outta me! Are they going to have someone standing at the door to open cards and count the contents before letting anyone into the reception? "Oh, sorry, you're $30 short, you can't come in. Have a nice night!" The whole notion is so rude and absurd it makes my head hurt.

LOL Zazzie!

"Im a bit short of the admission."

"How much ya got?"

" $ xx "

"Ok, come on in, have ONE drink, and get out. And don't even LOOK at the cannoli."

@Nonna - if there's cannoli involved, I might be breaking down the door, right amount or not! LOL

I would skip the whole thing.

OR if you really want to party I would just attend the reception and bring a toaster.

A minimum monetary gift amount and the ceremony and reception are a 2 hour drive from one another?! That's insane.

If you go, definitely skip the ceremony...but I would decline if someone said I had to give them a certain amount of money as a gift.

I'm Italian and only accepting cash because Italian is not a thing. Rude af. Decline.

I have people that denied the ceremony and said yes to the reception. The fun, celebratory part is the reception. I dont mind. The money thing is rude.

I'm Italian, like grandparents off the boat Italian, and that isn't a thing...we don't only accept money at weddings.

I'd skip it entirely and send a gift in the mail.