Reception at Home After a Destination Wedding
Destination weddings are unconventional and thrilling ways to celebrate your marriage. However, due to the expense and time needed to travel, it is not always possible to have all of your family and friends with you to celebrate your big day. One way to include your loved ones into your wedding is to hold a reception at home after your ceremony away at your chosen destination. Planning this home reception tells your family and friends that you want them to be a part of this new and significant change of your life.
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Function
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A home reception features many of the same elements of a traditional wedding's reception. Wedding attire can still be worn and the wedding party can still be specified. Music, dancing, drinking and eating are all expected at such an event. Invitations to the reception should be sent separately from save the dates or wedding mailings. It is not appropriate to send save the dates or wedding invitations to those not invited to the actual destination wedding ceremony.
Features
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A home reception features many of the same elements of a traditional wedding's reception. Wedding attire can still be worn and the wedding party can still be specified. Music, dancing, drinking and eating are all expected at such an event. Invitations to the reception should be sent separately from save the dates or wedding mailings. It is not appropriate to send save the dates or wedding invitations to those not invited to the actual destination wedding ceremony.
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Size
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The size of the late reception is dependent on the couple. The event could be a large party or an intimate event between family and friends. Often, the size of the reception will depend on how much money is left in the budget after the travel expenses of a destination wedding. The budget will also dictate the level of formality.
Considerations
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Destination weddings, while intimate and fun for those in attendance, may be off-putting to some of your guests. While you can do your best to tread lightly and not offend anyone who cannot be present at your wedding ceremony, it is likely that some will still be hurt that they were not invited to your wedding. Stress to your guests that the home reception is a fun way to share your love with your friends and family.
Misconceptions
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While many still make choose to give the newlyweds a gift to celebrate the wedding, etiquette does not stipulate that this is required. Therefore, featuring a table for gifts at the reception is not advised. If any gifts are given, it is still customary for the bride and groom to send handwritten thank you notes to the gift givers.
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References
- Photo Credit Tables decorated at a wedding reception. image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
