How would I go about inviting floks to the wedding and not the reception? We are having a sit down dinner that will feed 250 folks. Unfortunately, our wedding has turned out to be the "wedding of the century" in the city that we grew up in and EVERYONE wants (or has told us, not asked us)to come. We cannot afford to go over our budget for 250 people. HOW do we tell folks that they can come to the wedding, not eat, but can still come party at the reception?
Is it "tacky" to try a creative way of saying that we're having a wedding "afterparty"? HELP ME!!!!
How would I go about inviting floks to the wedding and not the reception? We are having a sit down dinner that will feed 250 folks. Unfortunately, our wedding has turned out to be the "wedding of the century" in the city that we grew up in and EVERYONE wants (or has told us, not asked us)to come. We cannot afford to go over our budget for 250 people. HOW do we tell folks that they can come to the wedding, not eat, but can still come party at the reception?
Is it "tacky" to try a creative way of saying that we're having a wedding "afterparty"? HELP ME!!!!
SMOOCHES!
"The wasted of all days is one without laughter"
e.e. cummings
Cut your list back. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it! Try having hors d'ouerves at the dance part of your reception. Something inexpensive but not dinner. Or you should simply say private reception following the wedding. Those invited to dinner get a response card to that effect and everyone else gets nada.
Never disagree with a dragon for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup. If God made me in His image, I have more than returned the compliment!" - Betty Bowers
We've decided to send invitations 6-7 weeks prior to the wedding to family only and ask that they send it back ASAP... for those that won't get to eat, we're trying to set up a "hospitality" suite for them to enjoy hors d'ouerves and libations. Is that tacky?
SMOOCHES!
"The wasted of all days is one without laughter"
e.e. cummings
Shalondajay,
That sound like a good idea to me. A friend of mine also told me that after her wedding, she served a simple menu of punch and cake downstairs in the fellowship hall so that those who didn't get invited to the private reception wouldn't feel as bad. After taking pictures, she and her husband came downstairs to mingle with everyone and then left for her reception which was at 6:30. The wedding started at 3. Maybe you could do something like that.
Cynthia
shalondajay That's CLASSY! What a great solution to a common problem. Gold Star, Babe.
Get social and fan us on http://www.facebook.com/Vibrantbride] Facebook.
That is my situation right here. I like the idea of serving cake and punch immediately afterward for those who weren't able to be invited to the reception. The only thing is with me and my fiance, is that we have 2 hours for the receiving line, take pictures in the sanctuary, drive 30 minutes to an outdoor scenic area to take outdoor pictures, and drive back 30 minutes for the reception----hence no time to mingle with the "uninvited guests with the cake and punch.
I did however order very fancy wedding programs, so that non-reception guests could have something nice to take home with them.
Send the invitation minus the reception information. Also place a misclaimer at the bottom of the program that politely informs your church guests that the reception is reserved for those guests that have RSVP in advance. I have done this in the past and have had no incidents. OR consider having a small cake and punch or cookies and punch reception, in the church dining hall)for those who you are unable to invite to the formal reception. Have someone from your church or family/friend donate the items for this gathering. If those who you are unable to invite to your reception don't understand then maybe you need to reconsider inviting them to the church....all of your guests have you and your groom's happiness in the forefront of their minds. Best Wishes!
Im glad someone wrote something about this. Im having the same issue. I jus can't afford to feed everyone that wants to come to this wedding. I was just going to let those who were to come to the reception know via mouth. I have let those people know that I am having the immedate family and close family and friends. AND Im not having it at a HOTEL I will be having it at a family members house. And those who bring food my eat and those that don't may sit and look cute (j/k).=>
Tyffany
People do it all the time. You will just have to different types of invites or may be three: one for the ones that coming to both (like very close family and friends)then the ones that comes only to the wedding (maybe people with small childrens)
and then the people you want at the reception that like to party or may not be able to attend the wedding. It may send like a lot but once you divide your list than you will know but you can go back to
wedding before 5pm you can serve finger food but after it needs to be a sit down dinner just think about it you getting alot of great advices just look at what you are working with.
For my three team mates they have heard me talking about this wedding for months and they knew that we had a set about of people that we were going to invite. I really wanted to invite my co-workers, but I had not received any "no" responses (go figure). I talked to my teammates and informed them that I really wanted to invite them to the wedding AND the reception, but I had already met my numbers for the reception. They were very excited to even be invited to the wedding. They told me that the wedding was the most important part anyway and they appreciated the invite. They will be able to have hors d'oeuvres and drinks during cocktail hours, so at least they will be able to mingle with other guests and have some food. I felt really bad, but they totally understood and told me they knew how expensive receptions were.
I know how difficult it is not to be able to invite people to your reception so what I did at my first wedding was opt to have a poolside party instead of a sit down reception. The reception was held at the Hilton but I used their pool instead of going inside. It saved me about $3000.00, they decorated the area, they provided tables and chairs with table clothes the night lights were awesome and romantic. I personally would not like to exclude anyone so that is the route I took, I even had some of my friends who were not able to make the ceremony there, everyone had dinner and it was buffet.
Charlotte wishes you all a beautiful Christmas filled with loads of love, laughter and the true meaning of this blessed season.