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Wedding Etiquette Forum
Ways to make guests feel included at reception-only wedding
Hello all! This question is more about inclusion than etiquette but I hope it’s the right place to post anyway!
My fiance and I are both very introverted and don’t like a ton of eyes on us at once. In not wanting to feel uncomfortable at our own wedding, we decided to do a ceremony separate from the reception with only our parents and MAYBE a few more immediate family members. We will likely do this a day or 2 before the wedding itself.
i was wondering if anyone can suggest little things we can do at the reception to make our guests feel more included in the sentimentality aspect that is normally associated with the ceremony part of the wedding. As of now we are planning to do an entrance and then a speech thanking everyone for coming together to celebrate our marriage, followed by our first dance, then toasts.
i was wondering if anyone can suggest little things we can do at the reception to make our guests feel more included in the sentimentality aspect that is normally associated with the ceremony part of the wedding. As of now we are planning to do an entrance and then a speech thanking everyone for coming together to celebrate our marriage, followed by our first dance, then toasts.
in the invites I plan to write - “please join us to celebrate our marriage” - so it’s clear there is no ceremony. Despite being reserved and private about what will be a very emotional moment for both of us (meaning the ceremony) I want our guests to know how much we value and love them, so am looking for ways to do that that still honor the boundaries FH and I agreed upon. Any suggestions?
Re: Ways to make guests feel included at reception-only wedding
Doing these things should get your message across.
“lol I am not playing by these Helen from Bridesmaids rules. The reception is the same day as the ceremony. Theyre both the wedding. You don’t make the rules”.
Did you not say in your original post that the wedding will be “a day or two before” the party?
Your "Celebration of Marriage" Party is not a Pretty Princess Day where you have all things get dressed up in a wedding gown for a fake ceremony (which that is - unless it's a Sacramental Marriage taking place in a church/mosque/synagogue such as a couple getting married at The Vatican is required to be legally married in their home country before their Sacramental Marriage... and they're also asked to adhere to rules relating to the sacramental rite..). Your guests will resent the fact that you didn't consider them important enough to invite to the actual wedding where you became legally married to get all dressed up for a fake ceremony to each other which is going to bring a lot of unwanted attention when they find out as much! The reason is because they're going to the expense of attending to see you legally/sacramentally wed, not a fake event. Be honest and upfront with your guests that you're having a "Celebration of Marriage party" on that different date, it then becomes a party and not gift grabbing event. If you have to fake wanting these others involved, consider skipping any event like that altogether. It's okay to not have that unwanted attention, especially that which comes with fake events that you act like you wanted people involved/included, that's not introversion...