Hello! My soon-to-be fiancè and I were talking about our wedding day and so the topic of the reception came into the conversation. He wants us not to have one and use that money to go on a cruise as our honeymoon. I still want something simple, like a cocktail, we have the toast, first dance, cake, and that's basically it. How can we get to agree on this?
Re: No reception
This really isn't something you need to be worried about until you are engaged though.
In an attempt to not be a meany pants, I will just say: what @bethsmiles and @swazzle said.
Also, he's your BF, not your pre-FI, not your FFI (future FI), not your FH. Enjoy him as your BF! And while you're (dear god, patiently) waiting, find some things to keep you busy so you don't head down a path of pre-planning.
"His farts smell like Satan's asshole mixed with a skunk's vagina. But it's okay, because I love him." -CSousa
@bethsmiles is correct. It is rude to not have some type of reception to thank your guests for attending your wedding. BUT, until your BF is ACTUALLY your fiance, you shouldn't be concerning yourself with this.
You gals know I don't believe in planning for a wedding before you are engaged but there actually are some cultures that are a little vague on what is and what is not the time before/after engagement. For example, Indian cultures sometimes have a meeting of the families where gifts are exchanged and the families can essentially bless the couple before the engagement. It can be quite an eleborate affair (H's mom gifted me with several Sari's, a very beautiful gold necklace that has been passed down to the women who were getting engaged in her family, etc and I made sure my family had several gifts for her in excahnge). H actually proposed to me before this but, in his family's mind, it wasn't official without the ceremony...if that makes sense? That said, I don't think planning the ceremony itself before an official agreement between the couple is appropriate until you consider yourselves as engaged to be married.
And, for the record, I don't think you should have a wedding where you invite guests if you don't thank them with a meal (unless it isn't a "meal" time, in which case a simple thank you with snacks/beverages is appropriate).
Agree with you on the point that, if she is following Indian culture (which it doesn't sound like is the case), it would be highly unlikely to skip a reception.
You guys want to see my promise ring? It's two carats, see?
... it's a slightly bullshit tradition is what you mean, I do believe.
I couldn't contain my excitement of my two carat ring though!
That's a two carat ring, right? People are laughing at me at work hahahahah.
I haz a planning bio