My fiance and I are considering having two receptions on our wedding day. We are planning on getting married at 1:30 pm at my church. After the ceremony everyone will go outside for our first reception. We are having a tent on the church grounds. At the first reception we will eat light HD, cut the cake, mingle, throw the garter, toss the bouquet, and do all of the things you would expect. The first reception will last about two hours or so. After everyone leaves, we will go home, relax, and change into casual clothes. Then about 75 or 100 close family and friends will meet at a different site for a barbeque, dancing, and drinking. Is this ok? The people who are invited to the 2nd reception are the ones who would have stayed for the dancing and drinking anyway (if we have one night time reception). These guests consist of mostly our friends (in thier mid to late 20's). Many of the quests that we are not inviting to the party (and by party, I mean blow out) do not approve of drinking or are older. We feel that everyone will get what they want out of our wedding this way. Plus, the older guests or those with families will be able to go home at 2:30 or 3:00 instead of much later. If we don't do it this way then we will have our wedding at 5:30. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks!
(This post was
edited by bkt04c on Jun 6, 2007, 10:07 PM)
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Jun 7, 2007, 11:51 AM
Post #2 of 2
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Re: [bkt04c] two receptions in one day
[In reply to]
Dear Bkt,
Just imagine if you were invited to only part of the party. More than likely you would feel that the host felt that you are not as important as those invited to the entire party. This is what you are about to do.
The only time it is appropriate to invite guests to the wedding and not the 'dinner' is when it is an open-church wedding. The second reception would be a small family dinner with no party. So, yours wouldn't be viewed positively.
Your reasoning is completely understandable, but it would be best to allow all of the guests to choose what they wish to do. All wedding guests must be invited to the entire reception.
two receptions in one day
