I have heard that some couples throw late-night parties following their more formal receptions. Is this a new trend? I would like to have a small formal dinner with family and close friends who were invited to the ceremony and then follow this with a very informal late-night reception with the rest of our friends. Is this a possibility or is this a really bad idea?
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Jul 24, 2006, 10:37 AM
Post #2 of 2
(933 views)
Re: [march3714] Late Night Reception
[In reply to]
Dear Planning a Party,
I hope this isn't a trend. What this does is to split your guests into those who are worth feeding and spending money on and those who you just party with. Now if the dinner was only family (very small) and all of your guests were invited to the 'reception' for which you are paying, this would be fine.
The simple reason for this is that all wedding guests are invited to the reception. The wedding is a gift giving situation and the reception a party to celebrate the wedding. It is like your thank you to those who have shared the day with you and given you a gift. When they are not invited to a reception you are hosting, it is as if you are telling them that all you wanted was their gift and don't want to spend any more time with them.
Sometimes, especially with an open church wedding, we will have a small dinner with only our families after the ceremony. We may have a different type of reception for the rest of the guests. But, this is the only exception that is polite.
Late Night Reception
