So my fiance and I have been going back and forth for a few months about whether to just elope or do the whole shebang with a traditional wedding ceremony. The problem is we are both the youngest of our families and no other siblings have had formal weddings. While both of our mothers love the idea of a big wedding, we're not sure we want to dish out the funds for a one day (yes it's meaningful, but one day nonetheless) event.
My question is, can we have an engagement party so that all the friends and family can take some part in the special day and then keep the wedding to a very intimate/family only event? We we're thinking of having a brunch/lunch kind of party at a restaurant so it would kind of be like a reception just not as formal. That being said we do not intend on having any kind of bridal showers or formal reception. The ceremony/honeymoon will actually take place on a cruise ship (7 days in length) and we didn't want to impose those travel arrangements on our friends/family thought we know some would have gladly done it.
Thoughts? Reservations?