Reception/ Informal get together before ceremony?

Liz1/1/11

I have come across a major dillema. I am having an initmate ceremony in Hawaii with just my parents, my FH's parents, and possibly grandparents (not even sure if we are going to invite them). I am moving to Hawaii a couple weeks before the ceremony and we do not have the money to come back to our home state after the wedding. I was wondering if it is wrong to do a informal get together/ reception before we leave to have our wedding and start our life together in Hawaii? We want to be able to celebrate with people, but having a big wedding in Hawaii just isn't possible. What should I do???

mewebster59

sounds pretty reasonable in your situation to have a pre-wedding party/reception party.  I'm sure your guests will love the thanks (and free food), even if they can't be there on your day (which in this case is totally understandable.)

MyNameIsNot

It would be inappropriate to invite people to a wedding celebration if you aren't inviting them to the wedding.

But you could do a blow out going away party and celebrate your new life and everything with those people.  There's no reason to make it wedding related.

aerinpegadrak

I would just call it a going-away party.  If it's at all related to the wedding, it's inappropriate to invite anyone who isn't a wedding guest.  But if you're just throwing a going-away party, it doesn't really matter.  People will connect the dots.