Wedding Ceremony and no Reception. Do we need favors?

No JP+JP... I definitely agree with you.. that's the reason why I'm even asking, because It would be nice to do something for them. What I meant was that people who are in it just for the party, won't come.

Either don't invite anyone but the people you plan to have a small dinner with or invite all the people you want have have cake and punch. It's a church...is there a room or gym you can have the cake/punch in?

No one is "in it just for the party" its respectful to have a reception.

If he cant afford $200, seriously just go to the courthouse. This is silly.

Yes guys. Thanks to you, I think Cake and punch is the way to go.

I honestly don't really see the issue of a ceremony without a reception (though I agree with JPAP that you shouldn't judge your guests on it if they can't/won't make it), and $200 can be a lot of money, regardless of what other people spend on their wedding. What other people can (or want to) justify spending money on does not have to be the same for you. (I do think if it's just FH with the issue, you should probably discuss that more and why you each feel as though it is/isn't worth it)

That said, I also think it would be good if you can get the hall and have a little food and punch. It should be relatively inexpensive, and that way you can actually linger for a moment to greet and thank your guests (rather than a receiving line out the door, which does seem a little rude), and gives relatives who probably haven't seen each other in a while somewhere to mingle.

Maybe do the cake, punch, light appetizers... or a pot luck wedding. I've seen ppl on here who said they've had one and it was a success. Never put off your wedding because you can't afford cake or cheese and crackers. That's not what's important it's the UNION of you and your FH. So keep it light (appetizers) or do the pot luck reception at a park. Good luck!

Could you guys afford like a cake and punch reception?...it would be better than none at all, especially if people have to travel any distance to get there! My humble opinion is that no one will want to come to a wedding with no reception! =( You could probably make your own cake (box cakes) or cupcakes, and have punch or sparkling cider, and even do music from your iPod/MP3 player and save tons of money! Those are just a few ideas, but I honestly wouldn't do a "no reception wedding".

You may want to send out a second set of invites to everyone. You could always say you caught a mistake on the invites and these are the corrected invites or something! You could say correction: informal reception afterwards or something like that, to let them know they're not just being shoved out the door after the ceremony...LOL! It doesn't even have to be an expensive invite...even just a note mailed out to everyone who got an invite to inform them of the correction

The plan to have your guests gather in the church's hall sounds perfect! Having cake (even sheet cake) and some non-alcoholic drinks with your iPod playing in the background will be perfect. It's not a formal reception, so even though invites have already went out I don't think it matters! Just make a note at the bottom of your program that light refreshments will be served immediately after the ceremony in the fellowship hall.

No reception? Aw shucks, that's okay!!!!!!!

What is wrong with a ceremony without a reception is that it's socially rude. When you ask people to the ceremony you are expected to thank them for coming, which is done by offering them refreshment. When you invite people into your home don't you ask if you can get them something to eat or drink? Same think.

lol...but if you're handing out cupcakes, at least throw in a juice box!!

I had a friend that had to get married in a hurry because her fh is in the military. They had a small park ceremony with a tent that had a cake that they cut together and some punch as a small reception. It was very sweet!