Small Ceremony/Huge Reception

Re: Small Ceremony/Huge Reception

• Jen4948 member

  

  January 2013

  If you do this, I wouldn't have a "big reception."
  
  Anyone who accompanies you to the beach has to be hosted at that time-even if it's just a meal at a restaurant or a picnic on the beach.  That's your "wedding reception."  It's okay to have a big party later, but it will not be your "reception" and you should not do anything wedding-related at it: no wedding gown, exchange of vows, garter/bouquet toss, etc.  Call the big party something else.

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• gymbugmj2k member

  

  January 2013

  I disagree with PP.
  
  it is fine to do a small ceremony and perhaps nice dinner afterwards with those beach-attendees.  When you come home, you can have a reception with your wedding dress. People do this for families who are on opposite coasts. The couple will travel to the other coast and have another reception.  Is it normal? not really.  Is it okay? sure.
  
  If you're having this recpetion more than a month after the actual ceremony, then maybe tone down some of the other wedding related things (garter tosses, etc) as the party will be more of a celebration of your lives, not your wedding. 
  
  More than a few months after, then i'd start shopping for a short, more casual wedding dress.
  
  again...its personal preference. take the planning one step at a time, and make sure you do what fits YOUR family.

  
  

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• gmg75241 member

  

  January 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_small-ceremonyhuge-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:211642f9-aa2f-4a0d-98b4-8ef16b247460Post:96b9294c-9909-4776-8754-651aeddb6245">Re: Small Ceremony/Huge Reception</a>:
  [QUOTE]I disagree with PP. it is fine to do a small ceremony and perhaps nice dinner afterwards with those beach-attendees.  When you come home, you can have a reception with your wedding dress. People do this for families who are on opposite coasts. The couple will travel to the other coast and have another reception.  Is it normal? not really.  Is it okay? sure. If you're having this recpetion more than a month after the actual ceremony, then maybe tone down some of the other wedding related things (garter tosses, etc) as the party will be more of a celebration of your lives, not your wedding.  More than a few months after, then i'd start shopping for a short, more casual wedding dress. again...its personal preference. take the planning one step at a time, and make sure you do what fits YOUR family.
  Posted by gymbugmj2k[/QUOTE]
  
  Agree

  

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• Jager1219 member

  

  January 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_small-ceremonyhuge-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:211642f9-aa2f-4a0d-98b4-8ef16b247460Post:96b9294c-9909-4776-8754-651aeddb6245">Re: Small Ceremony/Huge Reception</a>:
  [QUOTE]I disagree with PP. it is fine to do a small ceremony and perhaps nice dinner afterwards with those beach-attendees.  When you come home, you can have a reception with your wedding dress. People do this for families who are on opposite coasts. The couple will travel to the other coast and have another reception.  Is it normal? not really.  Is it okay? sure. If you're having this recpetion more than a month after the actual ceremony, then maybe tone down some of the other wedding related things (garter tosses, etc) as the party will be more of a celebration of your lives, not your wedding.  More than a few months after, then i'd start shopping for a short, more casual wedding dress. again...its personal preference. take the planning one step at a time, and make sure you do what fits YOUR family.
  Posted by gymbugmj2k[/QUOTE]
  Ditto.  And I love the advice about the different things to change depending on the timing.

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• Peavy member

  

  January 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_small-ceremonyhuge-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:211642f9-aa2f-4a0d-98b4-8ef16b247460Post:70b35639-6e30-45f8-8d2b-41828d736304">Small Ceremony/Huge Reception</a>:
  [QUOTE]So, my fiance and I would like to "run away" to the beach and get married. Just us and immediate family and come home and have a big reception. <strong>We have waaaay too much family to have both a big ceremony/reception</strong>. However, we have no idea how to plan or where to even start. I was thinking about a wedding planner, but technically we will only be planning a reception. I don't have any idea what to do or where to even start planning!! Has anyone done anything similar that would like to share advice? Please and Thank you!!
  Posted by Ohheydesiree[/QUOTE]
  
  It's the reception that's costly, not the ceremony.  The costs associated with the ceremony are usually going to be the same whether you have twelve people, or two hundred.  I assume the people invited to the ceremony will also be invited to the party later, so you are essentially paying for them twice - once on your wedding day, and again at the party.

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• NYCMercedes member

  

  January 2013

  Come home to have the big party to celebrate your new marriage, just don't call it a reception.

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• AprilH81 member

  

  January 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_small-ceremonyhuge-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:211642f9-aa2f-4a0d-98b4-8ef16b247460Post:c943d6d0-4f85-4bec-9458-412f4143aa15">Re: Small Ceremony/Huge Reception</a>:
  [QUOTE]In Response to Small Ceremony/Huge Reception : It's the reception that's costly, not the ceremony.  The costs associated with the ceremony are usually going to be the same whether you have twelve people, or two hundred.  I assume the people invited to the ceremony will also be invited to the party later, so you are essentially paying for them twice - once on your wedding day, and again at the party.
  Posted by Peavy[/QUOTE]
  
  
  
  This is my thought... The reception is where the bulk of the cost comes from. If this is only to cut costs I wouldn't do it. If this is a timing issue I would consider it.

  

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