Hi - I'm looking for some ideas on how to include my sister, my best friend, and my new husband's brother, in a reception/party we're planning. We eloped to Vegas 3 weeks ago! We're each about 40, have never been married, and don't have any kids (unless animals count!), and our families are each thrilled... and have expressed their interests in our having a reception/party to let them all share in the event. One of the reasons we eloped is that I don't like being the center of attention, and could never have managed to walk down the aisle (my father and older brothers are dead, but even with one of them, I'd have been a wreck). We'd really like to find a way to somehow let these 3 people know that had we held a 'regular' wedding, they'd have been the ones we have asked to stand up for us. I know how much it would mean to them to be somehow recognized, but I have no idea of how to do this. We're planning a catered buffet-style dinner at a reception hall, to be held on the idea of a reception, but not quite as formal... no gown, no tux, no vows, no aisle(!!), no 'the bride cut's the cake...', but somewhere between 80 and 150 people (I'd like to say 20, so I'm at least trying to work it down to 80, but it seems everyone is so excited and wants to come, and we each have large families!) Any ideas? Thanks!!
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Oct 3, 2007, 5:45 PM)
First - be sure to tell them, one-on-one, how important they are to you. That alone is meaningful. But at the reception, you might consider having them give blessings (if applicable) and/or toasts. If you wanted to share your story with your guests, you could have one read a very brief (and I mean BRIEF - one quick, powerful paragraph to last no more than 30 seconds to a minute) anecdote about the way you met, then start dinner, have another stand up and tell about how you became engaged (again, one BRIEF paragraph), then right before the cake cutting have the other stand and, maybe using a one-sentence quote from each of you, explain how you ended up in Vegas, or how important the day was to you. Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design http://www.williamsburgweddingdesign.com
I agree that informing them in private is best. And, your planning is fine. This doesn't have to include any traditional elements is that is what you prefer. Rebecca Black, Etiquette Now
Elopement Reception Ideas
