My fiance is from another country where weddings typically start late in the evening, involve a sit down meal, full bar with hard liquor, and dancing until 3 or 4 in the morning at least. His family does not drink beer or wine, only hard liquor.
My family generally starts leaving weddings around 10 to 10:30 and at most we may have a glass or two of wine. We are not big dancers either.
We are getting married here in the U.S. as my parents refuse to travel. My fiance is embarrased to invite anyone from his country to anything less than what is offered in his country. What I have found is that the need to have a full bar with hard liquor effectively doubles the per-head price of the reception. This per-head cost severely limits how many people I can invite and I have a large extended family with many friends at the church where we will be married. I want these friends and family to be present at my wedding. This is what I have come up with so far to bridge the gap between our cultures
noon church wedding with 2 hour, sit-down 3 course meal and toast at restaurant for all of my friends, family, and his immediate family. No dancing, no toss, no wedding cake cut (other desserts). At least this way I can invite all of my family and friends (and their little ones) and whoever he is willing to invite. He said that he would be embarrased to invite most people from his culture to such a reception and he would only want his immediate family there.
Late evening reception at hotel with sit down meal, dancing, and full bar and liquor for his family and friends and my parents, siblings, and cousins my age. The size of this reception is pretty much dictated by inviting only as many people as required to meet the hotel's food and beverage minimum. He has 55 people to invite and I would add the rest from my family to meet the minimum.
Comments? Suggestions?