Destination Wedding/No shower - just a party!

Em&MPatti

Hi All! 

I was just wondering if people thought it was a good idea to still register even though we are not having a formal shower.  We are getting married in Vegas, and we will be inviting all of our friends, although I'm not sure how many people will be able to attend.  With that being said, we do not have bridesmaids, MOH, etc.  We do however plan on throwing a party BUT, as of right now it is probably going to be on a Party Barge in July because that is more our style than a dress up shower.  So, do you think people will still want to bring gifts to a boat party?

Has anybody ever attended something like this and brought gifts even if it wasn't a shower?  And, would I put that on a party invite?

Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated!!

Em&MPatti

Oh, yes, everybody who attends the wedding is invited to the receptions, but everybody will be traveling there, so I'm not sure they would want to travel with a gift.  Or is that standard?

MairePoppy

My husband's cousin had an at home reception. None of us were invited to the wedding, which was out of state. The party was billed as a family reunion bbq, and was pot luck, with assigned dishes - salads, desserts, breads etc...typical of the family bbqs that my ILs have. The 'host' provided the main course. We had no idea that the MOB intended this to be an informal reception for the couple. My husband and I showed up with our contribution to the meal and no gift. Some of the guests brought gifts to the party and the couple proceeded to open them, as if it was a shower. It was very awkward for us and should have been very awkward for the host. Very tacky, IMO.

Please, make sure your guests know exactly what you are inviting them to. They will decide if they want to attend or not. Some may think of this as a gift grab if you call it a 'wedding reception' which it is not. A wedding reception is whatever happens immediately following the ceremony- lunch, cake and punch or whatever.

You may register, if you wish, since some people may want to buy you a wedding gift. If you are a close relative or friend of mine, I would want to give you a gift, even if I wasn't invited to your wedding. Just don't announce the registry. Those who want to know if you are registered will ask and then they may be given the information. Don't open the gifts, if there are any, at the party. Put them in a secure place to open privately.

MyNameIsNot

If I were going to travel to a wedding, I would ship the gift to the B&G ahead of time.  Actually, I do that even with a local wedding.  Most of your guests get that Vegas involves you on a plane, and that taking gifts is impractical.  

I would do a registry and be sure to list my address with the store.  If people don't want to do a gift because of the travel or whatever, they won't ask for a registry.  If they do, it's there.  

jessicabessica

A shower is a gift-giving event that someone offers to throw you.  A reception is an event to thank your guests for coming to your wedding, and there are also people that host parties to celebrate their marriage later on.  A reception is not a gift-giving event like a shower is; while many people do give gifts at weddings, they are not required, and you should not mention gifts on the invitation.  You can still register, as I imagine many people will want to get you a gift (and likely ship it to your home, so make sure you include your preferred shipping address on the registry).  If people want the registry info, they will ask you or look online.

Em&MPatti

Great, thanks all!  We will just register and have it available if anybody asks, but not mention it on any party invitations.  We are more about having fun with our friends, then the gifts anyways!