Wedding ceremony and reception on different days?

I honestly can't see why you cannot do the normal things at your reception. I say, celebrate to your heart's content. I do not see how it would be inappropriate or improper to do so.

I agree with Heather. The first dance is tricky just because you don’t want it to be awkwardly the first thing that happens. Maybe offer some drinks, do toasts first, and then the first dance? Idk. Lots of people have weddings and receptions on different days. And if anyone I knew had only their immediately family at the wedding and then threw a party - I couldn’t imagine myself being upset about it.

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Yes - I think it is weird. It seems you want the best of both worlds re: getting married on your five year anniversary and accommodating many of your guests schedules with a later reception but TBH it is weird.

I have seen where a couple has a DW and a reception when they get back home (which is fine due to logistics) but that does not seem to be the case here.

It's a novel idea but as a guest I would expect for it to be more casual than a wedding reception due to the time gap and the rationale behind it.

View Quoted Comment I'm glad we didn't do it on our dating anniversary, too. I love that he proposed on our dating anniversary, but I'm so glad our wedding anniversary, THE anniversary, is it's own special thing. It marks a new chapter in our lives.

Our dating anniversary was on a Saturday in Oct 2016. We could have done it if we wanted to get married that time of year, but we just didn't. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, my cousin seriously considered getting married on that date. I was so glad we were considering Jan-March 2017 when I asked what they were considering. It didn't upset us at all that she was thinking about getting married on our dating anniversary (and I think that conversation was the first I even realized, "oh, it's a Saturday!). They ended up going with a Thursday at the end of September.

Honestly, it wouldn't phase me (but I'm not your guests). If you wanted a civil ceremony on your dating anniversary I'd understand. Also, I wouldn't think it was gift grabby because you're obviously spending money hosting a party to celebrate with those who couldn't attend the civil ceremony and gifts aren't required anyways. I think you would have to pay attention to the timeline though- for example do you come in and get announced as the "new" Mr and Mrs or will you be there to greet your guests? It may lend itself to being a more relaxed party with some traditional elements rather than the very traditional reception timeline.

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This. I would probably do things less structured and not as strict.

I recently attended a wedding like this. The ceremony was for immediate family only on a Thursday. The wedding celebration was on a Saturday. They did a first dance, and it wasnt weird at all.

I’m doing this, sort of.

Our wedding will be on a Friday, and there will be a reception after (dessert reception, it will be before dinner, but not quite lunch time) but only close relatives and very close friends will be invited to this.

Then a few weeks after (after our honeymoon is over) we will have a casual party. Just celebrating our marriage (no gifts required). The invite will basically say, “we got hitched! Come celebrate the new mr and mrs!”

Just a bonfire, food and drinks.

honestly I like your idea and if that’s what y’all want, it’s what you guys want. IMO if someone had a problem with it, they don’t have to come lol anyways in the end isn’t that what most guests come for anyways? The party after the ceremony!

Oh and I’m doing our dances at the reception after the wedding, but no I don’t think that would be weird at all! I think it would be sweet!

I think it’s kind of odd. I would prefer a reception on the day of

Not sure if you'll see this, but im curious on how this turned out!!