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Mikala
Savvy October 2021

Ceremony only wedding!

Mikala, on January 7, 2021 at 9:22 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 2 12
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I need help! Me and my fiancé decided to do a ceremony only wedding, with everything happening with covid we don’t want to push back our wedding another year ( weve changed the date and year so many times because of covid restrictions) I’ve never really cared about the big reception, but the more I think about it I feel like I may regret it, but I also feel I’ll be miserable having a reception, we’d also have to pay for pretty much everything as well. And honestly I’d rather spend that kind of money on a honeymoon, we still plan on having a nice big ceremony with all family and friends, but just that, possibly a bridal party before hand as my parents request. So what’s everyone’s opinions on a big ceremony and no reception? Have you done it? Do you recommend anything? Do you regret anything?!

12 Comments

Latest activity by Mikala, on January 11, 2021 at 6:37 AM
  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    You need to have cake and coffee at minimum for everyone attending. It is considered rude to invite people to ceremony only and then kick them out as soon it's over with no basic refreshments such as cake and punch.
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  • Tone
    Devoted July 2021
    Tone ·
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    Even though we’re having a smaller ceremony (40ish people) we opted out of a reception and are instead offering people come out to dinner with us after the ceremony! We’re planning on having a big celebration party on our anniversary though!
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  • Katie
    VIP August 2020
    Katie ·
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    Hi Mikala! As a fellow covid bride, there is one thing we have going for us and that is typical rules don’t apply 😂 be as creative as you like! If you are concerned you would regret not having a reception, you can still cut the cake, have a first dance with a 1 hour or so reception afterwards. A short and sweet reception may be the ticket! If a family member of mine was doing a ceremony only - I’d be there!! ❤️ Hope this helps with whatever you decide!!
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  • Nicole
    Master September 2020
    Nicole ·
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    You definitely need to do at least a cake and punch reception after to thank your friends and family for attending. We had a small ceremony and postponed the reception to later this year, but we still took those in attendance out for a meal afterward to thank them for joining us.
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    I agree with others that you still need to serve type of snack and refreshments as a thank you to your guests for attending.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    You do need to host your guests with some type of food afterwards (light food is fine is your wedding is at a non-mealtime like 2 pm). But if you don’t want a lot if people why not have a small ceremony & reception (you can treat guests to a meal at a restaurant)?
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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    Yes, I'm doing something similar. I recommend you offer cupcakes (safer than cake during COVID) and juice and water.
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  • Vicky
    VIP January 2020
    Vicky ·
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    You need to host your ceremony guests with some kind of food and drink appropriate to the time of day (meal at meal time, cake and punch/coffee or appetizers at a non-meal time), which is technically a reception. It's not okay to just have a ceremony and host nothing for the guests afterwards.

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  • Mikala
    Savvy October 2021
    Mikala ·
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    I’m not sure when I said I wasn’t doing cupcakes and refreshments? Maybe next time I’ll have to explain even more in detail. Because our ceremony will be having these also with chocolate covered strawberries actually (waters with our picture and dates on them) but that wasn’t really was I was asking. I was asking for any tips and if anyone has done a ceremony only wedding and what your thought were. How it went for you and whatever else.
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  • Vicky
    VIP January 2020
    Vicky ·
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    ...that is a reception.

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  • Mikala
    Savvy October 2021
    Mikala ·
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    It’s for them while they wait. Not after. Again tho not what I was asking lol
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  • Vicky
    VIP January 2020
    Vicky ·
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    Well, you should host something for the ceremony guests after the ceremony.

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