planning a bride/groom only wedding

karibugly

Hello,
My finance and I are planning to go to spain to get married.  we aren't inviting family/friends becos it's also our hnoeymoon.  we do want to throw a reception party when we return to celebrate with everyone.  i have been married before but he hasn't.  What is the proper ettiquette for showers or gifts in this situation?  we feel bad that we aren't inviting anyone, and don't want people to feel obligated to get gifts, but we do want them to join in the celebration.  Thanks!

banana468

It's fine to have the AHR but you should decline showers.

IMO, you can even create a gift registry but keep it quiet.

Goldlie11

Since you are eloping, you forgo showers and gifts.  

danieliza1127

You probably should decline any offers for a shower.  I'm sure you'll get wedding gifts though once people find out that you got married, especially if you come back and host a reception.  You can register but only give out the information if people ask.

danieliza1127

Are you going to tell people you're getting married before you go, or are you waiting to tell people until you get back?

quotequeen

People will give you gifts if they want to, but you shouldn't have any showers.

andy71781

Sorry - I don't think a shower would be appropriate.  Allow people to celebrate at your AHR - but make sure you tell everybody you got married already.

melliott09

I'm doing a DW and AHR and I do not plan on allowing anyone to throw us a shower. It's not right in my opinion.

MISSCOURTNEY20

If you don't want gifts, don't call it a reception. Just call it a marriage celebration, and you should be fine.

squirrly

No showers.  An AHR is ok, and if people ask, you can tell them where you're registered, if you want to register.  But, I wouldn't volunteer that info to anybody.

banana468

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_planning-bridegroom-only-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:5525f8b9-3c5b-4889-b679-061885e96b32Post:3391a744-e179-4706-9eea-d806184bbe7f">Re: planning a bride/groom only wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't want gifts, don't call it a reception. Just call it a marriage celebration, and you should be fine.
Posted by MISSCOURTNEY20[/QUOTE]

?  Either way I think people would most likely give gifts.