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2nd reception?? Help

iswim32iswim32
First Comment
in Wedding Etiquette Forum
We are getting married where we live but we can't invite everyone we want to because we couldn't find a big enough venue. We both have large families and most of our family will be traveling to our wedding so it is a "DW" for them but not for us. Is is weird to have a 2nd reception after the honeymoon for the friends we can't invite? We don't expect gifts at the 2nd reception - how should I announce that?
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Re: 2nd reception?? Help

  • jasmineh7777jasmineh7777
    5000 Comments
    I don't think you need two receptions. Maybe just a casual party when you get back, not connected with your wedding.
    As a guest, I would not feel good about being invited to a second reception because I didn't make the cut for the first.
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  • nda_roxybabenda_roxybabe member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2nd-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a9133133-c5a9-46df-b8c0-7764e1d582d4Post:09f3ac36-128e-4107-9d0b-7f92353b03aa">2nd reception?? Help</a>:
    [QUOTE]We are getting married where we live but we can't invite everyone we want to because we couldn't find a big enough venue. We both have large families and most of our family will be traveling to our wedding so it is a "DW" for them but not for us. Is is weird to have a 2nd reception after the honeymoon for the friends we can't invite? We don't expect gifts at the 2nd reception - how should I announce that?
    Posted by iswim32[/QUOTE]
    I really don't understand why you need a second reception. How many people are you wanting to invite total? How were you not able to find a big enough venue?

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  • thesuninherheadthesuninherhead member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2nd-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:a9133133-c5a9-46df-b8c0-7764e1d582d4Post:09f3ac36-128e-4107-9d0b-7f92353b03aa">2nd reception?? Help</a>:
    [QUOTE]We are getting married where we live but we can't invite everyone we want to because we couldn't find a big enough venue. We both have large families and most of our family will be traveling to our wedding so it is a "DW" for them but not for us.<strong> Is is weird to have a 2nd reception after the honeymoon for the friends we can't invite</strong>? We don't expect gifts at the 2nd reception - how should I announce that?
    Posted by iswim32[/QUOTE]
    <p> </p><p>Yes.</p><p> </p><p>I know when you first start planning, it feels like every man and his dog should be invited to your wedding, and you're super worried that they'll be offended if they're not included. Ultimately though, no one cares nearly as much as you do, and most people would rather be invited to nothing at all than be invited to a second party for all of those not close enough to make the real wedding list. </p>
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  • sucrets4sucrets4 member
    10000 Comments Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper 5 Love Its
    I do think it's weird.

    I know this makes me sound hypocritical, but DH's family hosted a backyard party on July 4th that was to include his family that couldn't make the 700 mile trip to the wedding.  We didn't plan it ourselves, though, which is why I think it's different.

    If it's just your friends, then just throw a kickass party with no mention of your wedding.  And don't wear your dress.
    BFP(1) DD1 born 4.17.10 @ 33w5d due to pPROM
    BFP(4) DD2 born 2.14.13 @ 35w5d due to pPROM

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  • geosbridegeosbride
    10 Comments
    see, i know nothing about this either! I thought/was thinking of doing the same thing.

    since we can only afford 35 at a dinner--that only includes the very closest friends and family--no cousins, aunts, uncles, friends u only see once in a while, or any other people you 'should' include, etc., but can't!

    we didn't think it was an awful idea to at least invite all the 'periphery'-type friends, of which there are many (since i've been an entertainment writer for my city's paper for 12 yrs & have made numerous acquaintances that are a bit more than that but not quite 'A' list invitees....) to a BBQ on return.

    so that's a 'bad' idea, huh? Foot in mouth
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  • kristinalilykristinalily
    100 Comments
    We're having a second reception (but not doing a cake cutting or gifts or anything really related to a wedding). A lot of my family isnt going to be able to make it to the wedding and none of my friends are able to come (it's 14 hours away). I don't see a problem with having a party and displaying pictures from the wedding and just mingling, eating, and enjoying yourself. To announce no gifts (if that was the question) you could just say "Your presence is our gift" or something like that.
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  • iswim32iswim32
    First Comment
    Thank you for all the responses!!! We are getting married a little older so we have a large number of friends from the many parts of our lives and we both have large families. We initially were trying to find a venue to accommodate approximately 400 guests. We had found a venue that could accommodate 300 but they couldn't get us a contract (turns out they were working on booking another wedding for the same day at the same site!). We had to relocate and the largest we could find could hold 220 unless we were willing to pay extraordinary amounts of money - but if we had a limitless budget we wouldn't be in this predicament!! Again thank you to everyone who responded it has been so helpful :) 
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