Is it OK to invite people to the reception part of my wedding but not the actual ceremony?

I thought this was an acceptable practice, my fiancee thinks it is not.
Is it OK to invite people to the reception part of my wedding but not the actual ceremony?
Its perfectly acceptable to invite only your closest family and friends to the wedding and then everyone to party at the reception.
Reply:It should be reversable...that way you don't spend so much money! But yes...it's acceptable.
Reply:no that would be tacky!!
Reply:Have a Catholic wedding, its all in one. Or so I think.
Reply:its done all the time in NH
Reply:Sure it's alright IF you don't think the invitees will be offended about not attending the wedding ceremony. I think that is where your fiancee is coming from.
Reply:To be blunt, I think it's rude. It's like you're saying to a person, "I don't like you enough to invite you to my actual wedding, but I like presents enough to expect one from you at the reception."
Reply:I guess that i am confused as to why you wouldn't want them to be at your wedding (it doesn't cost anything to have them there), why wouldn't you want them there to experience the most important part of your day? THE VOWS, when you express your long and lasting love for each other. I personally look more forward to going to the wedding because then i get to see the bride at her most beautiful state (before her dress is bustled, before the bar hopping began, and before the infamous drink spills on her wedding gown). just think, the more people that you invite to the wedding, will be that many more people that will get to see your beautiful bride walk down the aisle in her full glory, and they will also get to share in the love that the 2 of you offer each other.


The question that you need to answer is "why don't you want these people at your wedding, but you want them at your reception" if your response is acceptable to you and your fiance, then by all means do it; however, i personally would invite them to the wedding.





Congratulations, and best wishes to you and your fiancee.
Reply:yes
Reply:It is perfectly acceptable and it is common practice.





Most people invite relatives and close friends to the actual ceremony.


Alot of churches only hold so many people and you cant invite everyone that you might like to.


The reception is a celebration of the wedding itself and it is for all to enjoy.
Reply:No. They are to witness your vows, before celebrating them with you.
Reply:it's not.it's your day you do whatever you want.
Reply:I agree with your fiancee. I know it is done all of the time, but if it were me I would feel like I was being invited to a party not to a wedding. Congratulations and best wishes to you both.
Reply:yes it is completely acceptable!
Reply:the reception is the more expensive part of the wedding isn't it?


the ceremony is at the church or somthing of that nature,,,doesn't matter who goes to that....if you are have a ceremony, then a dinner and then a dance, asking people to the dance part is fine....I've been invited to such things from co-worker, and I was great about it...to me, it shows that they would love everyone to celebrate in some way,,their wedding.....you could even send seperate invitations,,i've seen that...





ie....The newly married Mr and Mrs Smith like you to share in the celebration of our new marriage beginning at 9:30pm at.....


or somethink like that....even saying something like ---- you're presence is gift enought,,,since they are not an actual invited guest.
Reply:it happens ALL the time
Reply:No, it's not proper etiquette, and you will look like you're only after gifts. Check out the forum at www.etiquettehell.com for more tips. They talk about that all the time.





Northstar408 - if it were a matter of cost, wouldn't you invite more people to the wedding itself and NOT the reception? Isn't the reception what costs the most per person?
Reply:no, that is not acceptable.


no way!!!!
Reply:If you do the etiquette of the invitations properly, you can do this. Here is a guide-- see under Ceremony Cards.





http://www.crane.com/etiquette.aspx?C=We...
Reply:I think that you shouldn't do that. It should be part of the celebration.
Reply:For sure... People know how much weddings can cost.
Reply:Of course its acceptable. Because many ppl can't either make it to the actual ceremony or aren't too comfortable going to the ceremony when they don't know the bride or anyone from either side that well. But at the reception they can come up and personally congratulate you both and feel more comfortable.
Reply:yeah its fine they will understand its damned expensive you shouldn;t have to explain yourself to anyone! enjoy ur big day! remember to have fun! Good luck?
Reply:i would rather be invited to a reception than a wedding, no offense, but some can be a little boring
Reply:i agree with your fiance....personally, i think that's rude and i don't understand why you just wouldn't invite them to the wedding. i think they should be invited to both, or neither one.
Reply:If you want to invite more people to the reception, then have it on a different day, and don't call it a reception (reception is a place where the bride/groom can receive/greet the guests that came to the ceremony, it's a way of thanking them for joining them for the ceremony) Rather, have a celebration party the next day 'in celebration of the marriage of so and so'. Otherwise, it's rather rude to have a reception for the ceremony and have people at the reception who didn't witness the ceremony. (in my personal opinion, I don't understand why you wouldn't want more people at the ceremony, that's the meaning and the 'specialness' behind a wedding, not the party)
Reply:yes...it would only be rude to invite them to the church but not the reception. i had people only come to the reception becuase the chapel was very small and could only hold like 40 people I think.
Reply:There are some people who feel that the most important part of any wedding is the actual ceremony. They would rather skip the "party" and just go to the ceremony. If there are people on your side who would rather just attend the "party" and skip the ceremony, ask them how they feel. If your survey finds that they would be offended, then plan on inviting people to both and not invite only to the reception.
Reply:If it were me, Id be upset. But then again Im easily upsetable.
Reply:Yes, Absolutely!


Many people get married with only witness's' or immediate family. Then invite close friends to a party (reception ) to celebrate.





Can be casual dress, BBQ gathering.. Much more fun and a better turn out, because people do not have to worry with getting all dressed up. GO FOR IT! You will be glad you.
Reply:It's normal practise in the UK and no-one feels offended.