planning a separate ceremony (private) and celebation
My fiance and I are planning on having our ceremony in Oct with just immediate family and then having a celebration next spring. We are doing this because certain extended but important family members wouldn't be able to attend in Oct and we didn't want to give up our dream time of year and location and also couldn't imagine an extended engagement.
What is the etiquette for telling people? We've already talked to family and friends letting them know we are engaged and the time we wanted to have the wedding. Is there a proper way to say "we are having a private ceremony and will celebrate later", how do you word "save the dates" for a non/wedding? How do we explain we are getting married and they aren't invited? Everyone is asking!!
Please help, there seems to be little information on this unique way of doing this!
Thanks! Tash
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Post #2 of 2
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Re: planning a separate ceremony (private) and celebation
[In reply to]
Dear Tash,
Actually, this is done quite often and we have many posts on this subject. The celebration you want is still a wedding reception, albeit a belated one, which means that the traditional reception elements don't make sense to include. But, it is still your reception, even if it is a second one.
You wouldn't send save the dates for this until after the wedding and you don't need to mention the wedding. It will be obvious that you will be married by the date of the reception. You would then follow up with invitations for the event. Please note that save the dates are completely optional, but all who receive them also receive an invitation.
This is not a gift giving event and no mention of gifts should be made.
planning a separate ceremony (private) and celebation
