Deborah Chan
Planning a wedding can be a stressful and expensive affair. For this reason, many couples are opting for a reception-only wedding, which is a more pleasurable, hassle-free, and exciting option. This type of wedding celebration allows couples to include their loved ones in the festivities after they have eloped or had a small, private ceremony. The reception can be held later the same day or months after the wedding, and it can be as casual or formal as the couple desires. The planning process for a reception-only wedding is similar to that of a traditional wedding, with the main distinction being that the reception is treated as the main event, complete with its own guest list, arrangements, and budget considerations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | Couples may choose a reception-only wedding due to finances, stress, privacy, or a desire for a low-key celebration. |
| Timing | The reception can be held soon after the elopement or private ceremony, or at a later date, such as a milestone anniversary. |
| Guest list | The guest list can be as large or small as desired, with the only constraint being the budget. |
| Budget | The budget should prioritise food and venue, with other variables including catering, drinks, décor, attire, and transportation. |
| Venue | The venue can be formal or casual, ranging from a backyard to a traditional wedding venue. |
| Dress code | The dress code can be formal or casual, with the couple's attire setting the expectations for guests. |
| Gifts | Gifts are not required, but the couple may choose to have a registry or accept gifts if desired. |
| Activities | Activities can include cake, dancing, toasts, music, games, and a unity ceremony. |
| Invitations | Invitations should clearly state that guests are being invited to a reception to celebrate the marriage, providing details on the dress code and what to expect. |
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What You'll Learn
Keep it casual with yard games, or formal with a sit-down dinner
If you're planning a reception-only wedding, you can make it as casual or as formal as you like. The reception is all about celebrating your marriage, so whether you choose yard games or a sit-down dinner, the focus is on having fun and creating a joyful atmosphere.
For a casual backyard wedding, yard games are a great way to keep things relaxed and lighthearted. From cornhole to horseshoe toss, these games will get your guests moving and laughing. You can even set up a DIY photo booth with fun props to capture the memories. If you're looking to keep costs down, consider a brunch reception with French toast or a wine and cheese theme. A dessert-only reception is another sweet option.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more formal affair, a sit-down dinner can be a sophisticated choice. Wedding planner Kelly McWilliams notes that plated dinners are "the most time and cost-efficient," allowing your guests to quickly move on to the dance floor. To make it unique, consider adding unexpected menu items, such as a charcuterie board or amuse-bouche. For a more intimate feel, family-style service with passed items is a lovely option.
When it comes to creating a memorable reception, there are endless possibilities. You can ask your guests to suggest songs on their RSVPs, ensuring a personalized playlist that gets everyone on the dance floor. Whether you choose a casual or formal approach, the key is to reflect your personalities as a couple and ensure your guests feel included in celebrating your love.
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Choose a barn, beach, or backyard venue
Barn, beach, or backyard—these three "B"s are excellent choices for a wedding reception venue. Opting for any of these venues can be a great way to save money, as they are usually more affordable than traditional venues. They also offer a unique blend of comfort, creativity, flexibility, and intimacy. Here are some ideas and considerations for each:
Barn
If you're looking for a rustic or country-style wedding reception, a barn could be the perfect venue. Barns often have a rustic charm that can be enhanced with decorations and lighting. Consider a luxe version of the traditional barn-inspired rustic look by adding hints of gold and elegant touches. Fairy lights or string lights can create a magical atmosphere, especially if hung from trees or beams. You can also mix and match chairs or use rustic benches to create a charming, eclectic look.
Beach
A beach wedding reception offers a beautiful, natural setting and a relaxed atmosphere. You can enhance the beach setting with decorations and lighting. Consider a theme, such as a tropical or nautical theme, to create a cohesive look. To make your guests comfortable, provide shade and seating areas, and perhaps offer fans or cold drinks to keep everyone cool.
Backyard
Backyard wedding receptions have become increasingly popular, offering a unique blend of comfort, creativity, flexibility, and intimacy. You can transform your everyday surroundings into a romantic wonderland filled with personal touches and cherished memories. When it comes to a backyard wedding, lighting is crucial for setting the mood. Consider stringing fairy lights, Edison bulbs, or bistro lights across the space, or using lanterns for a soft glow. To enhance the aesthetics, create a stunning backdrop using natural elements like trees or garden features, floral arches, or even a DIY structure. For seating, mix and match chairs or use rustic benches to create a unique look. You can also set up yard games and outdoor activities, such as giant Jenga, cornhole, ring toss, and limbo, to keep your guests entertained.
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Save money with brunch, wine and cheese, or dessert
One way to save money when throwing a reception-only wedding is to opt for a brunch reception. Brunch receptions are usually more casual, so you can save money on your dress, decorations, and entertainment. You may also save money on alcohol, as people tend to drink less during the day. Additionally, caterers, venues, and vendors often offer discounts for events held during off-peak hours.
If you're looking for a more intimate and unique reception, a wine and cheese-themed event can be a great option. This option can be more affordable than a traditional sit-down meal, especially if you choose a venue that allows you to bring your own drinks. To make it more substantial, you can include crackers, fruits, veggies, and non-alcoholic drinks. If your budget allows, you can also add some meats or hire a DJ to create a dance party atmosphere.
Another idea to save money on your reception is to have a dessert-only reception. You can still have your wedding cake and offer a variety of other sweet treats, such as cookies, brownies, or cupcakes. Communicate your budget to your baker and consider giving them artistic freedom to create a beautiful cake without the extra cost. Using real flowers on your cake, for example, can cut costs by saving the baker time and resources. Additionally, you can pair your wedding favors with dessert to save money on favours.
Finally, remember that wedding etiquette doesn't dictate how long after your marriage you can host a reception. So, if you're looking to save money, you can choose to have a reception-only celebration on a milestone anniversary, such as your first, fifth, or fiftieth anniversary. This way, you'll have more time to save up and plan your dream reception.
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Make guests feel included with a song request on their RSVP
A reception-only wedding is a great way to celebrate your marriage, whether you eloped or had a small, intimate ceremony. It can be as casual or formal as you like, and you can choose a venue that suits your style, whether it's a barn, beach, or your own backyard.
To make your guests feel included, one idea is to add a song request line to their RSVP. This way, everyone can feel involved in the celebration and contribute to the party atmosphere. Here are some ways to implement this idea:
Wording and Instructions:
When including the song request line on your RSVP, you can invite guests to suggest songs they would like to hear or dance to. You can also specify that you are looking for songs for the dance portion of the reception to encourage guests to send in their favourite dance tracks. For example:
- "We're taking requests! Let us know if there is a song you'd like to hear: ______________"
- "We're looking for song ideas for the dance portion of our reception. Give us your favourite dance song, and you might hear it played!"
- "Song I promise to dance to: ______________"
Managing Expectations:
Be prepared that guests may expect their requested songs to be played, so it's essential to manage their expectations. You can add a disclaimer that you, as the couple, have veto power over all song choices. Alternatively, you can treat the song requests as a guide for your DJ to get a feel for your crowd rather than "must-plays".
Timing and Logistics:
Order your invitations well in advance to allow time to collate the song requests and create a playlist or provide them to your DJ. You can also add a couple of extra weeks to your response date to account for late replies. If you are tight on space, you could use the blank back of the RSVP card for guests to write their song choices.
Alternative Methods:
If you prefer not to include the song request on the RSVP card, you can incorporate it into your wedding website or send an email to your guests a few weeks before the wedding. For example:
"We invite you to nominate one song for our wedding reception. You can email us with the title and artist of your song. We will do our best to include it in the festivities!"
By including a song request on the RSVP or using alternative methods, you can make your guests feel included and create a personalised and fun celebration that reflects your unique guest list.
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Send clear invitations, stating it's a reception-only wedding
It is crucial to word your reception-only wedding invitations clearly to ensure guests understand that the event is a reception without a ceremony. This clarity will help manage guests' expectations and reduce potential emotional responses from guests who may have wanted to attend the ceremony.
The wording can vary depending on whether the reception follows the ceremony on the same day or occurs separately at a later date. Here are some examples of clear invitation wordings for different scenarios:
- If the reception is on the same day as the ceremony: "Names of the couple] request the pleasure of your company for a wedding reception, following an intimate wedding ceremony with close friends and family."
- If the reception is separate from the ceremony: " [Names of the couple] request the pleasure of your company for a reception in celebration of their new marriage." or "The newlyweds [names of the couple] invite you to a reception in honour of their recent marriage."
You can also include a line that asks guests to suggest songs they would like to hear at the reception, making them feel involved and making it easier to create a playlist.
If you are inviting guests to both the ceremony and the reception, you may want to consider printing two sets of invitations, one for the smaller group attending both events and one for the larger group invited to the reception only. This approach maintains a cohesive design and experience for guests while directing them to the appropriate venue.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to be clear and explicit in your invitations that guests are being invited to a reception to celebrate your marriage, not to the marriage itself. You could use wording such as "a celebration of [your names]’ marriage" or "join us for a reception to celebrate the marriage of [your names]".
The reception can be as casual or formal as you like. You can have a small ceremony with your closest loved ones, then throw a big party later with a wider group of guests. You can choose a barn, beach, or backyard wedding reception, and keep costs down by doing a brunch, wine and cheese, or dessert-only reception. You can also ask guests to suggest songs they'd like to hear on their RSVP cards.
The process of planning a reception-only wedding is similar to planning a typical wedding. You'll need to set a date, make a guest list, choose a venue, and decide on vendors for catering, beverages, décor, hair, cosmetics, and transportation. You should also consider the season, as this can impact your budget.
