How To Plan A Reception Only Wedding?

Planning a reception-only wedding is a popular choice for couples who have already married, eloped, or had a small ceremony. The main concern for couples is their budget, and they should set a date, choose a location, create a guest list, determine seating arrangements, hire catering and vendors, and create an hour-by-hour breakdown for the wedding reception timeline.

The wedding reception is considered the highlight of a traditional wedding, but guests often look forward to the cake, dancing, and open bar. To make the reception more organized, it is essential to compile correspondence with vendors, notes from meetings, and photos. A special email address and vendor numbers should be set up for the wedding.

The average wedding reception is about 5 hours, including one hour for cocktails and 4 hours for dinner and dancing. Wedding planner Elizabeth Bailey suggests that invitations should be written “please join us in celebrating our marriage” to make it clear that the ceremony is not part of the big day.

When planning a reception-only wedding, it is important to plan two separate guest lists, stick to your guns about who is invited and who isn’t, and have the wedding ceremony earlier in the day. If you are planning a small destination wedding or elopement, consider having a post-elopement party or reception.

Receptions are on the rise, and couples should be aware of the importance of setting a budget, choosing a venue, creating a guest list, hiring catering and vendors, and organizing the reception.

How to have only a wedding reception?

Plan a wedding reception on a budget. Couples worry about their budget. … Set a date. … Choose a venue. … Make a guest list for the wedding reception. … Decide where to sit. … Hire caterers and vendors.

Do you want to plan a wedding reception without a ceremony? If you’ve already married or had a small ceremony, this article will help you plan a reception-only wedding for your family and friends. Planning a reception is similar to planning a wedding. The wedding reception is the main event, with its own guest list and arrangements. You still need to think about things that will make your event a success. Couples worry about money. Many couples choose a smaller wedding instead of a major event. When planning a wedding reception, your budget should prioritize food and the reception location. The number of guests determines this.

What is the normal schedule for a wedding reception?

Evening Wedding Reception Timeline Example 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour 6:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Invitation to Dinner 6:15 p.m. – 6:25 p.m. Newlywed Entrance 6:25 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. First Dance 6:30 p.m. – 6:35 p.m. Welcome Speech and Toasts 6:35 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Dinner, with Wedding Party Toasts Wedding receptions usually have the same order of events, but the couple can change this. Knowing what to expect can help you relax on your wedding day. A timeline helps everyone stay on track. Planning your timeline helps you notice any details you may have missed so everything is taken care of before the big day. This article outlines a traditional wedding day timeline to help you plan your wedding reception timeline. Dinner service; first dance; father-daughter dance; cake cutting; bouquet toss and garter toss; speeches and toasts; dinner service; cutting the cake; first dance!

Is it normal to just go to the wedding reception?

Most weddings have a ceremony and reception. Skipping the ceremony is seen as bad manners. There are sometimes good reasons for not being able to make it to the ceremony. In some cultures, it’s normal to be late for the wedding and only show up to the reception. However, if you have a good reason not on this list, we advise you to attend both.

1. The distance. Traveling can be exhausting, especially when you have to travel to two different places. If you have to travel two hours to the ceremony and wait another four hours for the reception, it doesn’t make sense to go home. If you don’t want to sit around between the ceremony and reception, talk to the bride and groom about skipping the ceremony.

2. The kids. Children under 16 are often not invited to weddings. If you have children, you have to find a babysitter for up to 12 hours! If you can’t find a babysitter or don’t want to leave your kids for that long, you might only attend the reception. Tell the bride and groom about your dilemma. They probably won’t mind if you skip the ceremony.

Is it okay to invite guests to reception only?

Reception-Only Invitation Wordings It’s now more acceptable to invite some guests only during the reception. If you’re holding a virtual ceremony or a smaller celebration due to the pandemic, having a separate reception or after-party lets you invite more people.

Use these wedding reception-only invitation templates for your handmade and customized cards. Informal reception invitation. Tell guests you’ve already been married. Tell them you’re only inviting them to the reception to celebrate the wedding. This usually applies to destination weddings, civil ceremonies, or elopements.

How to invite people to a reception but not the wedding?

How to write reception-only invitations. To invite guests to a reception only, say you want them at the reception, not in the wedding program. Be clear about the date, time, and venue, especially if the reception is at a different location or on a different day. You can also include information like the dress code or if kids can’t come. The words on wedding invitations are also important. As you make the guest list, you’ll know how many invitations to order. Add design elements. You can have more space for creative ideas on reception-only invitations. Add fun phrases or lovely typography representing you as a couple.

Can you only go to a wedding reception?

Can you skip the ceremony and go straight to the reception? If you’re not invited to the ceremony, you can skip it. Miss Manners. A formal invitation is not a choice. Some say it’s easier to go to the reception alone if you’re far away or can’t make it at the right time. But you have to decide well before the event. Can’t make it in time for the ceremony? Tell the bride and groom about your problem and ask for a dispensation. Or, just say you can’t go. This brings us to the RSVP. If you said you’d come, you’d be rude not to. Of course, there are illnesses, emergencies, and traffic. If you have to cancel or arrive late to a wedding reception, that’s OK. But not wanting to do the candle-lighting ceremony or hear Pachelbel’s Canon in D is no excuse. Some people avoid the ceremony because of an uncomfortable past relationship or because they don’t know the couple well. Bodgas. Get over it. If you don’t want to go to the wedding, don’t just show up for the free champagne. If you want to go, accept that it’s the hosts’ event, not yours. An invitation isn’t an obligation.

Is 3 hours enough for a wedding reception?

How long should wedding receptions last? 4-5 hours is a good length for a reception. The ceremony is not included. Just the reception and cocktail hour. Some people think less than 4-5 hours is perfect. I think 3-4 hours is plenty. Some people want a 6-hour reception. I have to say that’s too long. If your reception is more than 4 hours, you have to ask your venue to extend your time. That means more costs for you, plus the cost of your planner, photographer, and videographer staying until the end.

Also, more open bar hours could mean a more fun wedding party or a wild night that will show up in your wedding photos.

Can I just do a wedding reception?

A reception-only celebration is an unforgettable evening of festivities without the formalities of a traditional ceremony. Plus, you can tailor your reception-only celebration to your preferences and budget.

How do I plan my wedding reception?

Set your budget for the wedding reception. Set your budget first. … Choose a date. Once you’ve set your budget, choose a date. … Choose a venue. … Reception flow. … Seating. … Menu.