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Inviting guests to reception but not ceremony

lmulion03lmulion03 member
10 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper
in Nevada-Las Vegas

Hi All,

So we're having a destination wedding in Vegas coming from Los Angeles. Guest count is approximately 175-225; reception start time still TBD but more than likely at 6pm. By the looks of it, ceremony and reception will be at two different locations. Would it be rude if we were to invite certain guests to the reception and not the ceremony? Reasons being 1) We would like it to be a more intimate affair and 2) our favorite ceremony locations on the strip accommodate up to 100 or 150 at best.

 

Also, what time would you recommend to have the ceremony if reception were at 6? FYI, it's looking like reception will take place at the Treasure Island Ballroom.

 

 

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Re: Inviting guests to reception but not ceremony

  • a13049a13049 member
    250 Love Its 100 Comments Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    I don't know the official etiquette on it, but I personally would find it very rude. Especially if people are traveling for a dw. You need to decide if you want that many people and get a different venue, or if you can pair down the guest list and get the more intimate venue you want.
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  • KimberlybfpcKimberlybfpc member
    100 Comments First Answer 5 Love Its
    I attended a reception where they just had close family and friends for the ceremony and didn't think it rude at all. Also, I was not one of the close friends or family.
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  • AllyIdoAllyIdo member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer
    I think this is pretty rude in the destination wedding scope of things. Consider that your guests are taking the time and money to travel to celebrate you and your FI. I'd include everyone in everything.
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  • ktbabe530ktbabe530 member
    500 Comments 100 Love Its Second Anniversary First Answer
    I think for a destination wedding it should be all or nothing.  I would feel a bit offended if I was invited to travel to Vegas, but was only invited to the reception.  I would probably decline and feel like I wasn't that important of a friend or family member.

    You could probably do the ceremony in the TI ballroom or somewhere else on the property.

    Have you checked out the pirate ship there?  You could have a few on the ship with you and the rest could stand in the walkway.  That might still give you an intimate feel with everyone else being a bit farther away.
    We had our dream wedding at Mirage on May 3, 2014! 
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  • spoon1984spoon1984 member
    100 Comments Second Anniversary 25 Love Its First Answer
    I agree all or nothing, I would not be happy to only be invited to the reception at a destination wedding.
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  • missmo14missmo14 member
    1000 Comments 250 Love Its First Anniversary First Answer
    I agree with PP its just not ok. The ceremony is your actual 'wedding' the reception is the celebration of your wedding and thanking guests for attending your wedding. So it doesn't make sense that you wouldnt invite guests to both especially if they are coming to Vegas. There are lots of options in Vegas for a larger group. Or you may just have to cull the guest list which is hard. Other option - invite a smaller group to Vegas then have your reception at home when you get back to Los Angeles.

    Can't wait to say 'I do' on April 14, 2014 - Planning Bio

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  • annathy03annathy03 member
    500 Love Its 500 Comments Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited September 2013
    When it's not a DW, it's OK to have a truly intimate wedding- meaning immediate family and possibly the closest of friends, no more than 20 or so attending, and have a much larger reception.  Inviting 100 to the ceremony and 200 to the reception is a tiered wedding and hurtful to guests that don't make the top tier.

    For a DW I think it's important to include everyone in both, but like PP said you could always lower the guest list overall and throw a celebration party back home with your local crowd (although I'd consider that a party, the reception is still whatever you host in Vegas in that case).

    ETA: Clarity.
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  • lmulion03lmulion03 member
    10 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Thanks for the opinions all. This clears up a lot
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  • marshmallow1982marshmallow1982 member
    25 Love Its 10 Comments
    Kimberlybfpc said:
    I attended a reception where they just had close family and friends for the ceremony and didn't think it rude at all. Also, I was not one of the close friends or family.


    The OP means at a destination wedding where people are paying for flights and accommodation.

    Yes it's a faux pas but the thing is a lot of people will decline a destination wedding so if you invite 225, I'd be surprised if 150 accept. You could start by sending one lot of invites to family and close friends then see where you stand with numbers.

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  • annathy03annathy03 member
    500 Love Its 500 Comments Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    marshmallow1982 said:
    Kimberlybfpc said:
    I attended a reception where they just had close family and friends for the ceremony and didn't think it rude at all. Also, I was not one of the close friends or family.


    The OP means at a destination wedding where people are paying for flights and accommodation.

    Yes it's a faux pas but the thing is a lot of people will decline a destination wedding so if you invite 225, I'd be surprised if 150 accept. You could start by sending one lot of invites to family and close friends then see where you stand with numbers.


    Please don't do this. B-listing is rude to begin with, but it's even worse when it's a DW because it reduces the amount of time they have to book flights and hotels.

    I think before the prevalence of social media brides could get away with it easier, but now someone is sure to post on Facebook "just got so-and-SO's wedding invite! So excited to go to Vegas!" and when someone else doesn't get their invite for another 3 weeks, they know they didn't make the first cut.
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  • KikiMiraKikiMira member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    I agree, I think it would be rude. We picked a venue that we are doing both at. It also holds up too 300 people. Perhaps look at changing your ceremony spot?
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  • lmulion03lmulion03 member
    10 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper

    Thanks all!

    @ Marshmallow1982 - The 225 is just close friends and family! Our families usually have weddings that are 500+ :) We know our family members and friends pretty well and since Vegas is only a 3.5-5 hour drive, depending on traffic, we feel a lot will go. We plan to give plenty of advanced notice so they can plan accordingly. I was talking to one of the wedding coordinators from Bellagio who is also getting married. She was born and raised in Atlanta and all her family still resides there. She sent out all the invites, expecting 40% or so to decline but all said yes, with the exception of one couple. She had to find a different venue to accommodate! Basically, she said it's Vegas and a lot more people will come than you'd expect.

     

    @KikiMira - yeah we're looking for different ceremony locations that can accommodate 225 or so. I know the final number will probably be a little under 225. 

    -We've looked at golf courses which are nice, but you must book the reception with them as well.

    -Most of the outdoor strip ceremony  locations we like have capacities up to 150 or so. We've found the Signature Patio which can accommodate up to 300. That's a plus but the negatives are that you must book the photographer/videographer with them, overall final price will be a little high.

    -We're looking at holding the ceremony at one of the TI ballrooms, where the reception will take place. Still getting info on those costs but the ballroom will need some decorating.

    - Just started looking into the Neon Museum.

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  • mnuppmnupp member
    100 Comments Name Dropper 5 Love Its First Answer
    500+ people at a wedding? Good God, I would hate to do seating arrangements!!!

    If you're not set on the Strip (and Neon Museum makes me think that), what about one of these:

    http://www.plazahotelcasino.com/pdf/sales_kit.pdf (looking at the catering piece, you could probably arrange to have the ceremony in the ballroom?)

    I think all those places allow outside vendors.

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