Wedding Open House vs. Reception

LadyNLove1

     My fiance and I are toying with the idea of calling our reception an open house.  I'm thinking of putting something like, "open house to follow ceremony until four," on our invites.  Is this rude?  I'm really wanting to keep things simple.  I'm not planning on dancing or cutting cake.  I just want a nice ceremony, a reception with a definite ending time, and to get away with my man.  Am I crazy?  Any advice would be great.  Thanks!!!

katiewhompus

huh? If I saw "open house" I would be wondering if you were showing us a new home or trying to sell me something.

Just have the dj/host announce when there are 20 minutes left, say your goodbyes and head out.

opalsky007

Yeah, I wouldn't have a clue what you were talking about either. Open houses and wedding receptions are two very different things.

You don't need to tell your guests when the party is over--they'll know because 1. you're leaving 2. the waitstaff is cleaning up 3. you can enlist a groomsman to collect any stragglers and take them out for drinks or something.

Brie2010

I wouldn't call it an open house, but a small, short reception is fine.

You could just have the ceremony, and presuming it's not a mealtime, do a short cake and punch reception--no dancing.

mocha beans

You could call it a wedding dinner.

mrsamyjones

I don't think anyone will understand what you're going for if you call it an open house. Just have an idea of how long you want your reception and stick to your schedule if you're so worried about it. I'd also try to stick to a morning ceremony and reception. The early timing will be more conducive to A) not dancing and getting to spend the rest of the day with your new husband.

janedoe1113a

If I saw open house on a wedding invitation I would have no clue wtf you were talking about.

FutureMrsL.R.Allen

Is open house a term used in your area?  It is a term used here and mainly by the Mormon population.  I have been to a few of my Mormon friends' "open houses."  But they are not a reception.  The bride and groom get married in the Temple, which only holds so many people and any non-Mormon (like me) can not attend.  It is usually just family and friends.  An open house is usually a stop by and say hi thing and is normally on a different day, kind of like an AHR if the couple got married at a temple not near their house, and they invite every person they ever knew in their life and do not have RSVPs.  So, if you were to call it and open house, that term would not confuse me, but I would think I could stop by at any time during the open house, say hello, I would not expect any food or drinks, I may or may not bring a present (depending on how well I knew them) and then I would leave about half an hour later.

banana468

Open house reminds me of weddings that took place in my parents' generation.

Bride and groom would be married at their house of worship and then a low-key event would take place at someone's home.  My mom's younger sister had this as her reception.  All the guests were welcomed to my grandmother's home where my grandparents hosted them with food  and drinks.  Guests could come and go...and some notorious family members didn't leave for HOURS.

SCnPM

"Feel free to attend a gathering at our house at (this time) after the wedding to celebrate our wedding day."

Something along the lines of that what you are looking to pass on to them?