Small ceremony, and big reception

Question

For our wedding my fiance and I just want a small intimate ceremony, but a big reception. For the ceremony the limit is about 50 people- and the reception we were thinking of inviting our large families, friends, co-workers-- which would be about 200 people if not more. Is this okay? How would I let people know they are only invited to the reception, how would I word the invitations?! help please!

Answer 1

Are you having a destination wedding. It would be more appropriate if you were them people at the reception would feel left out and wondering how they can celebrate your wedding without witnessing the ceremony and exchanging of vows. If it because of space that you aren't able to invite everyone that you want?? Maybe choose another location for the ceremony? But if you choose to keep it that way them for the wording I would say something like:

MR and MRs.____ will be wed in a private ceremony

Please join the couple in celebrating their wedding at ____

Answer 2

don't mention the ceremony on the invitations at all.  print a separate card for the people who are invited to the ceremony and insert it for them only with their invitations.  put on there that it's a small, private, invitation only ceremony, or spread the word throughout your family that they are NOT to bring anyone who is not specifically invited to the ceremony.

Answer 3

You send everybody a formal invitation to the reception, "everybody" meaning that each person gets his/her very own invitation with his/her very own name on it -- even tiny children. (The exception is couples who are engaged, married, or otherwise committed to going everywhere together. If the couple doesn't fit the "Mr&Mrs" format, you just write out each name.

For those you want to attend the ceremony as well, inclose a ceremony card. It should read somthing like

Ceremony at two o'clock

St. Fidgeta Church

808 Garnett Hwy

Swampville

  

Answer 4

That's perfectly fine. For the small group of guests invited to both the ceremony and the reception, you can send a normal invitation. For the larger group invited only to the reception, your invitation should say something like this:

"Susan Smith and John Johns will be married in a private ceremony. The bride and groom, along with their families, invite you to celebrate with them at a reception to follow..." and then give details of the time and location.

Answer 5

that is what i am doing so it sounds like a good plan...i am more excited for the party then anything lol.  For the invitations say....After a private ceremony we would like to invite you to the reception..or however you want to reword that lol

Answer 6

It can easily be done.  My husband and I did it.

You'll just need to make two sets of invitations; one to invite the people to the wedding only and then one that acts as an announcement of your nuptials and as an invitation to your reception.

Ours was something like (I don't remember the exact wording):

Mary Anne Jones

and

Peter Michael Smith

were joined in holy matrimony on

December 20th 2003.

You are invited to help celebrate

the joining of our hearts

at a reception to be held on

February 1, 2004

(etc, etc, etc)

People are FAR more interested in being at the party than the ceremony...believe me!

Answer 7

That's what my wife and I did for our wedding, because the location that we were getting married was out-of-town and presented parking constrictions. We sent out seperate invites- wedding/reception and reception only. The reception only invites were not as fancy and cheaper. Make sure that if you have a sit-down meal, that the reception only crowd comes in after the meal is over with. They can always snack on the leftovers!

Just word the invite the same as any other, just make sure that the time when guests show up is different (later), U know, after the dinner, but before the dance, or whatever.

Answer 8

totally agree- you do two sets of invites and make sure that the wording is clear and nobody is under the impression that there will be a ceremony or be confused such as:

Parents Names

and

Parents Names

Cordially invite you join in the celebrating the marriage of

your name and your fiancee

Reception will take place at:

Date

Time

Location

Good for you for including so many people at your party

Answer 9

If people find out that they're being omitted from the wedding and invited to the reception anyhow expect that some will be offended and not come. If you have reason - can't have guests of a different faith, the wedding is out of town, etc. then it works.

Treat it the same way as a destination wedding, announce a reception. Do not let people know when your wedding is unless you want them to come.

Answer 10

No, it's not okay. You invite the same people to the ceremony AND reception. How are you going to tell people they are 'second class' invitees?