Weddings Reception Decorations

How many people do not have wedding receptions?

I do not want to have a reception. Money is tight and I have never enjoyed social get-togethers. My fiance says he wants to do whatever will make me happiest- awww, how sweet! I helped a friend plan her reception last year, and everyone was always arguing and it was just a big headache. I have been to some lovely receptions, but they're just not for me. My friends think I'm crazy- is it really that uncommon?

Public Comments

1. I have know a few couples who skipped the reception part of their union. You do what you want. If you don't have the money right now, or want to deal with it, then just skip it.
2. have a small intimate ceremony with close family and close friends only. then perhaps all of you go out for dinner and/or drinks and its done! many many brides and grooms do this, saving themselves headaches, heartaches, frustration and money! far too many people are making weddings into huge overdone extravaganzas that are a monumental waste of money! so if you don't want that then it seems to me your idea is the sensible thing to do - congrats and happy wedding sweetie!!!!
3. What about a destination wedding with a dinner afterwards. That will cut down on the amount of people that will actually go and you won't have to do a thing, just show up and get married, eat and leave.
4. If you invite people to your wedding, you need to feed them. If it's at meal time, it needs to be a meal. It doesn't need to be a 5-course gourmet dinner, but it needs to be a meal. If it's between meals, it can be as simple as a cake and punch reception. So yes, a reception of some sort is in order to feed the guests and so they can each individually congratulate you and your new hubby after the ceremony. You can plan something much simplier than what your friend planned, and it doesn't need to have music. But if you have a ceremony, you need a reception.
5. Yes, they're annoying, but people have come a long way, you do need to recognize them. It's uncommon, because it's rude to not have one. You can (if you're lucky) have just a cake and punch one after the wedding. Or else, do what we're doing, and leave early. Everyone likes it when the couple leaves early, that way they don't have to chose between staying horribly late (I've been to weddings where there couple is there until midnight) or else be rude and leave before the guests of honour.
6. i'm having a destination wedding and not having a reception when i return. too much of a hassle.
7. Hi Liz and congratulations! Now this is a unique question. I don't think this has ever been asked, and I have never thought about it. Where I live, things are just the opposite....hardly anyone goes to the ceremony (much to my disapproval), but then the whole town shows up at the reception! It's really a bit much. What you need to do is to think about what a "reception" is. A reception simply is a "receiving of guests." So with that said, a "reception" is ANY kind of party after a wedding ceremony. Whomever you are inviting (family and close friends?), then you still do need to do something after (dinner at a restaurant?) So, that WOULD BE your reception. A reception is really anything that you want it to be. It can be something as simple as cake and punch; finger foods; brunch; lunch; dinner....whatever! You don't need to have the big blowout sit down meal; DJ; open bar, in order to call it a "reception." But....if money is tight, then it's best to do something very small and low-key. There is NOTHING wrong with that! Good luck and I hope you have a beautiful day!
8. It's uncommon, but does it really matter? You should do whatever you are comfortable with. People who care about you will be thrilled to share your wedding day with you, even if it doesn't culminate in a reception.
9. One of my girlfriends sisters did not have a reception - she used that money as a downpayment on a new home! And my boss didn't have a honeymoon - she instead had a home built!
10. 99.9% of wedding guest expect free food. I wish things were different, but that's just how it is. I would still have a reception, but just with your closest friends and family. Maybe you could have food and snacks and things laid out before the wedding for everyone to munch on, then after the wedding take your closest people out for drinks and dinner. Easy, inexpensive, and fun!
11. Your guests will expect you to have cake and punch. You might need to cut some of your wedding budget and have a "dessert" reception.
12. No one. You cannot have a ceremony without a reception since that is a huge breach of etiquette. If you don't want to have a reception, just go to the local courthouse to get married and take your "guests" to a restaurant for dinner afterwards.
13. To be honest the only people I have known that have not had wedding receptions were a few of my relatives who had courthouse weddings and didn't invite anyone to the ceremony. If you do not have the money for a traditional reception (full dinner, dancing, etc) then maybe you could have a BBQ or a picnic or something. It's pretty rude to invite people to your ceremony and not feed them something afterwards (even cake and punch would be better than nothing).