Wedding Etiquette Forum

Ok to have reception only?

Hi everyone!  I'm hoping some of you may be able to help me out a little bit.  My bf and I have been dating for over 3 years and we are getting close to getting engaged.  Trouble is, we don't necessarily want a large wedding.  We are a quiet couple and would prefer to have an incredibly small ceremony (parent only). 

However, we are both part of large families who would most likely be very hurt and offended if we didn't invite them to our wedding.  Is it proper etiquette to have a super small ceremony, then have a reception afterward for other family and friends? 

I know my family will be extremely offended if we get married and don't invite them.  However, I'm a bit attention shy and am not really comfortable having a large wedding.  Just thinking about all the planning and everyone we'd have to invite stresses me out to the point where it's not even fun anymore to think about getting married!   

Anyway, sorry to make this so long, but any advice or suggestions would be extremely helpful!

Thanks!
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