Reception Only, No Ceremony

...So a party?

So...she wants to have...a party??

Well, there will be some kind of ceremony because her marriage would need to be legal. But no, it's not weird to get married in a private ceremony and then share a reception with friends and family. There's tons of people who elope and then have a big reception afterwards.

Sorry I was not clear. Yes I think she is thinking her and her FH would do a private city hall marriage and then invite family and friends to a reception.

People elope and come back and have reception partys, why cant she?

As long as she makes it clear that it's not a wedding but a Celebration of their Marriage or something similar.

Oh, her we go... the "lying to the guests' discussion....

If she wants to do a private ceremony, that is entirely up to her.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, I've passed on the opinions to her.

We are getting married with our immediate family only on attendance and having our reception a couple of hours later. FH wanted courthouse originally so we decided on immediate family only. We will take our photos after that and then guests will arrive. I don't like the between gap where the photos are taken and guests are waiting.

Thanks @Erica L

@Stacey I think guests will know if they're invited to only the reception that it's not the wedding. But agreed that the invitation should be clear they won't be attending the ceremony. There's nothing wrong with having a private ceremony and a reception for guests you want to invite to celebrate afterwards. The only thing I wouldn't do is have a ceremony for some guests and reception for others who weren't invited to the ceremony.

So she wants to elope, and then have a reception to celebrate later? I don't see anything wrong with that.

We are have a private destination wedding and a reception only when we return. Completely normal. We even sent save the dates since most are oot and we clearly wrote reception only

We're doing this. Private ceremony in the afternoon, then big reception in the evening. As long as private ceremony is immediate family only, I think its ok. It shouldn't be a bigger group with family and friends with 2nd tier guests at the reception. We haven't had much push back from extended family so far, and only 1 friend has said she's disappointed she can't be there but understands our decision.

Do you think this would be a good alternative for brides having to cancel 2020 plans. They could legally get married and then when things calm down have a delayed reception to celebrate post-corona. Might even save some money by doing so.

I’ve seen it done, not weird at all!

That's what we are doing! Eloping with family only and then doing a reception when we return. I sent out invitations like normal and explained that we would already be legally married. The only problem I'm facing is how to do an entrance without it following a ceremony. Minor details...

Most people will decline since that's rude. While it might be the new trend, it is rude because it tells guests, they're good enough to party and bring a gift but not important enough to witness the ceremony which is why the reception is being held. If you want to invite guests to just a party, don't call it a wedding because that involves much more than what is offered/planned.

Are they eloping then having a big reception/celebration once they get back?

My friend and her FH are doing that in Hawaii. If that's what they want, then go for it, but personally I think it's odd. Might as well get everything over with in one day. I feel like guests will also feel awkward coming to a 'party' after nuptials are over with that they weren't a part of to begin with.

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Hi! I'm having this same problem now in my reception-only planning... Do you have any tips? TIA!