Should we give guests the option of "reception only"?

Question

We are designing our reception cards and the online RSVP form for our wedding. Since there is a significant break between the morning ceremony and evening reception, we know that some individuals may not be able to devote the entire day to the wedding. We have structured the RSVP's to say "Ceremony Only" or "Ceremony and Reception." Should we give guests the option of "Reception Only"? Or will that just encourage people to skip the ceremony? It sounds bizarre, but I would feel weird having guests not come to the ceremony....but on the other hand I can imagine that one or two people might be unable to get plane tickets for Friday night.....

Answer 1

ACTUALLY-- I THINK YOU SHOULD GIVE US (lol) THE OPTION----BECAUSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A ROUND-ABOUT FIGURE OF WHO TO PREPARE FOR---- THRE MAYBE SOMEONE THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY-- BUT WANT TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE AT THE RECEPTION!!!!!!   SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE OTHER OBLIGATIONS DURING THE DAY.

Answer 2

its nice to offer, some may find it odd while toerhs would take advantage of it.  If you are ok with it, why not!

Answer 3

I don't think you want to do that. You are inviting guests to your wedding - which includes the ceremony for them to witness exchanging vows, and the reception, which is the celebration of that. People who care for you will want to attend both!

Answer 4

It would be Rude, to just come to the reception. I would be upset to see more people at my reception then cermony!

Would I include Reception Only---Heck Naw!

Answer 5

Since an exact head count is not necessary for the wedding, I would let it go. People will show up or not as they wish. If you want to, spread the word that you won't be getting your feelings hurt if they can't come.

And when they call and ask, tell them up front that you will understand, and don't want people to be terribly inconvenienced.

I hear what you are saying, it might involve coming in to town the night before, it might mean a hotel room price of an extra day. You are right to try to save people money. If you can, have a few pictures of the wedding available. Maybe somebody can take a few pics of the church and you in it, and use the time bewtween the two events to download and print them. And display them for those you know could not be at the wedding.

Answer 6

Do you really need to know how many people are coming to the ceremony? The RSVP is usually just for the reception. It is common where I come from to skip the ceremony if there is a long break. Its sad, but the ceremony is becoming less and less popular. I don't think its anything personal, I just think its hard to devote 12 hours  or more to one event. I think you will find that even if you don't give them the option on the RSVP card, many people will only attend the reception anyway.

Answer 7

It happens that people can't come to the ceremony but can come to the reception. It sometimes happens when they are back to back. You can't force people to come to the ceremony. They will either attend it or not. Have your standard RSVP to know who is attending the reception and whoever shows up to the ceremony will. You really don't need a count on the ceremony anyway - especially if it is in a church since it will hold way more than you can invite.

Answer 8

I think that it would be a good idea to give people an option for the reception. I would word it like this:

Please Respond by July 31, 2008

M__________________

__Will Attend the Ceremony

__Will attend the Reception

__Will Attend the Ceremony & Reception

__Will not Attend the Ceremony or Reception

If you are going to offer an entree selection you could do it like this:

Please Respond by July 31, 2008

M__________________

__Will Attend the Ceremony

__Will attend the Reception

__Will Attend the Ceremony & Reception

__Will not Attend the Ceremony or Reception

Please select an entree if attending the reception

__Prime Rib __Chicken __Vegterian

Answer 9

I don't think there is anything wrong with giving them the option.  It's not like you aren't inviting them to the ceremony or anything, it might be nice for someone that might not know if they can commit the whole day but still want to support you and your marriage.

I think you will be surprised that most people will go to both the ceremony and reception despite having to commit the whole day.  People love you and want to support you, so they will go to both!

Good Luck!

Answer 10

I think it would be odd to come and eat the food, drink the booze but not see the bride and groom actually get married!!

In fact, more than odd, I think it would be rude!

Answer 11

I am having the same concerns. Our wedding and ceremony is all in one site. And although the ceremony is immediatly precedding the recpetion, I still am worried some will not show up to the ceremony. We are having a non-relgious ceremony that should take about 20-25 mins. I only care because we have to pay per chair for the ceremony and they dont allow standing room. I dont want to overpay, but at the same time I feel like if they arent willing to see me go down the aisle then why should I feed them? I am only giving the option of attending or not. I would never go to just the reception if I was invited to the ceremony as well. We have had friends get married at venues that only allowed 30 people, in which case they had strictly family. But that was thier decision NOT mine.