Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Weddings

Chat to other Mumsnetters on our Wedding forum.

Original poster

No wedding reception?

65 replies

BoldandBright · 15/06/2023 15:37

Money is limited but we still want to get married and have a lovely day. We are getting married at a local chapel around 1pm, then are going to a nice pub for a wedding breakfast with our 40 guests from the ceremony. We will be paying for everyones meal but not drinks (other than a prosecco toast during the dinner). Then we are hoping to leave around 5/6pm to go on our honeymoon (a lodge retreat for couples).
is this okay? I know people say the reception party is to thank the guests for coming.. but we really just can’t afford the DJ, set up, extra venue hire, more food etc. The wedding breakfast will be more on the relaxed side and I plan to hire a bouncy castle in the beer garden for the children.
Would you happily attend a wedding with this arrangement? Obviously our guests can stay in the pub together after we leave if they want to but would you expect the all night party?

OP posts:
Theraffarian · 15/06/2023 15:40

I think I would be very happy to be one of your closest 40 people and it sounds like a lovely way to celebrate with a smaller wedding . I might try and add one glass of drink for everyone with the meal and big jugs of water if you could .

ApolloandDaphne · 15/06/2023 15:41

Your wedding sounds lovely. I have been to a number of weddings with this set up and it work perfectly. As long as you make sure people know it is wedding, meal then you are heading off at 5/6pm then it will be fine.

PuttingDownRoots · 15/06/2023 15:41

The meal is the Reception!

You don't need an expensive party to celebrate

WhereYouLeftIt · 15/06/2023 15:42

I think your plan sounds lovely!

justanothermanicmonday1 · 15/06/2023 15:42

Sounds absolutely lovely!

Congratulations on your wedding!

Maddy70 · 15/06/2023 15:43

I would add a glass of wine with dinner but nothing else is necessary and it sounds lovely

WooWooWinnie · 15/06/2023 15:45

Oh I think that sounds great! What a lovely day!

heldinadream · 15/06/2023 15:45

Sounds lovely and relaxed OP, I'd far rather go to a wedding like yours than one of the massive performances that lots of weddings seem to be these days.
Have a lovely time.

drpet49 · 15/06/2023 15:46

Sounds fine.

PuffinsRocks · 15/06/2023 15:47

Of course it's ok! We didn't fancy a big do so we just had a picnic in Princes Street Gardens with our nearest and dearest.

Floofer20 · 15/06/2023 15:47

As a guest I would love a day like that to celebrate a wedding. Sounds lovely!

Original poster
BoldandBright · 15/06/2023 15:48

That makes me feel better.. I want our guests to feel appreciated for joining us and not ‘rushed’ by if that makes sense. Hopefully it will be a lovely relaxed celebration enjoyed by us all!

OP posts:
SparkyBlue · 15/06/2023 15:49

Sounds fabulous OP. That will be a really lovely day. It sounds so relaxed and stress free. And you ARE having a reception. The meal is the reception. Don't be getting stressed about it. If you were to change something I'd offer a drink of choice rather than the Prosecco so people could have a glass of beer or a glass of red wine or a soft drink or whatever they preferred but if the Prosecco works out cheaper then stick with it. Have a fabulous day.

neverenoughchelseaboots · 15/06/2023 15:49

I’ve been to three family weddings who all did this and we’re all fabulous. It felt like a wonderful family occasion and was more intimate than a massive party.

titchy · 15/06/2023 15:50

Most people will probably stay at the pub afterwards won't they rather than set off home? Couldn't you just stay and mingle till 8 or something (no need to spend on extra food or drink)?

NotEverORNever · 15/06/2023 15:51

Sounds perfect. Most weddings are way too long.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

MrsClatterbuck · 15/06/2023 15:54

Sounds lovely and this actually was the norm in the sixties and seventies as per my Aunties weddings no child free weddings in our family After the meal the bride would change into her "going away outfit" and the couple would then leave for their honeymoon with the usual paraphernalia on the car tin cans and just married sign.

Honeyroar · 15/06/2023 15:55

Sounds absolutely lovely.

We only had a small daytime meal for 25 people and a party at night. We bought a horse instead of have the wedding breakfast! He’s still here many years later.

No wedding reception?
Anoushkaka · 15/06/2023 15:55

Sounds perfect to me. Enjoy your day.

toastofthetown · 15/06/2023 16:00

It sounds lovely, though I would try and give the guests a glass of wine with their meal, even if that was at the expense of the bouncy castle. Just my opinion, but giving your guests a meal, a drink with their meal and something to toast with is in the most important category for hosting (assuming you are from a culture which drinks alcohol, but as you mentioned prosecco it sounds like you are), but a bouncy castle is just a nice to have.

Tellmeimcrazy · 15/06/2023 16:01

BoldandBright · 15/06/2023 15:37

Money is limited but we still want to get married and have a lovely day. We are getting married at a local chapel around 1pm, then are going to a nice pub for a wedding breakfast with our 40 guests from the ceremony. We will be paying for everyones meal but not drinks (other than a prosecco toast during the dinner). Then we are hoping to leave around 5/6pm to go on our honeymoon (a lodge retreat for couples).
is this okay? I know people say the reception party is to thank the guests for coming.. but we really just can’t afford the DJ, set up, extra venue hire, more food etc. The wedding breakfast will be more on the relaxed side and I plan to hire a bouncy castle in the beer garden for the children.
Would you happily attend a wedding with this arrangement? Obviously our guests can stay in the pub together after we leave if they want to but would you expect the all night party?

Sounds bloody brilliant I'd love it!

Original poster
BoldandBright · 15/06/2023 16:09

Will take the comments about drinks on board and will see if we can afford to add some wine for the table! x

OP posts:
FfeminyddCymraeg · 15/06/2023 16:11

Another one who thinks it sounds lovely. I hate the length of weddings usually but would definitely attend yours.

I echo thoughts on trying to provide some drinks after the Prosecco. £100/150 would get some wine for the table and some leftover for pints?

CheeseFiend40 · 15/06/2023 16:13

We did a very similar thing for our wedding, it was a lovely day with just the friends and family that meant the most to us. Was also incredibly stress-free!

tsmainsqueeze · 15/06/2023 16:17

Sounds perfect , big weddings can be such a long boring day , i agree about the wine.
Enjoy your special day .