Alternatives to an evening reception?

One of my coworkers rented an entire resturant for her wedding reception. she just contacted her fav place to eat and they booked it. her family went the evening before and decorated it lol. this is a great idea!!

View quoted message I'm not sure exactly how many people, everyone who came to the ceremony was invited. Probably around 50-60. They rented the whole upstairs of the restaurant. I believe there was speeches. They did the cake cutting, they also did this candle lighting thing. It was 2.5 years ago & I had my 6m old with me so my memory so memory isn't the greatest. But it was beautifully done

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Sure, no problem I can clarify. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

During our cultural wedding ceremony, there are snacks and lunch after / during the end of the wedding ceremony itself. Our ceremonies are longer, around maybe 3 to 4 hours. I know in Catholic weddings, its a 1 hr (ish) ceremony and maybe snacks, followed by an evening reception or a dedicated period of greet the guests (which could be right after the ceremony). We have that all together.

But after this period, I have seen couples host an evening reception (first dance, speeches, etc) also. And everyone is invited to that as well. Our guest list includes maybe 100/150 people as our parents invites (i.e. parents age, family friends parents, etc). Because they are of an older generation and the concept of a western reception is not something they relate with. To them, the wedding is the ceremony itself (this includes my mom as well actually).

So I wanted to just do dinner with our friends, which is probably around 50. This includes people closer to our age and people who have an entirely different view on what the reception is. So I wanted to do something like a dinner with them at a restaurant or any other alternative ideas. Just wanted to get an idea on that.

Thanks for your time!

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I will definitely look into the cabin idea! Thanks for the suggestion.

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Thank you for the information! Do you know how many people approximately attended the dinner? Also, were there speeches or anything like that? Just want to know so I can get an idea.

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Sorry, I'll clarify it so that you have a better understanding. During our cultural wedding ceremony, there are snacks and lunch after / during the end of the wedding ceremony itself. Everyone is going to be invited to that of course since its our wedding ceremony and it will run like a good 4ish hours.

Afterwards, I have seen couples throw a evening reception, which I'm sure you are familiar with. First dance, speeches, etc. We could throw something similar, but in our guest list, lets say a good 100 of the 150 people are indifferent about a reception because they are of an older generation and the concept of a western reception is not something they relate with. To them, the wedding is the ceremony itself (this includes my mom as well actually).

So I wanted to just do our friends, which is probably around 50 to 60 people. This includes people closer to our age and people who have an entirely different view on what the reception is. So I wanted to do something like a dinner with them at a restaurant, but I wasn't sure how that would translate in reality. So just wanted opinions and alternative ideas on that.

Thanks for your help!

I'm not quite sure I understand your plan regarding the meals at the ceremony. Is this your reception?


I would suggest you not have a tiered system where some guests are invited to part of the reception and others are not. It can be seen as very hurtful to those who "didn't make the cut".

Friends of mine got married 2 years ago, they wanted to keep it small & as cost effective as possible. So they got married at her parents backyard, had a little gathering with a photobooth & candy bar, directly after while they did photos. Then we went to a nice restaurant that they had reserved the upstairs & had supper & cake. We also stepped outside to do the bouquet toss. It was a great time, even though hubby & I only knew the couple.

Can you explain this a bit more? I'm not clear on the details.
So you are having breakfast, lunch, dessert, and drinks at the wedding itself? Like the ceremony?
Or, you are having breakfast, lunch, dessert, and drinks immediately following the ceremony? If that's the case then isn't that the reception?
Just looking for clarification.

Are you asking about an after-party for after the reception?

Sounds like you are looking to have an "after party" of sorts? I would say even just reserving a room at a restaurant would be a great idea! That or maybe you could consider renting out a cabin for the weekend with some friends? If it was one of my friends I would be happy with even a house party where we order pizza! Whatever the bride wants!! Just would avoid doing a potluck or something the same day as the wedding so people don't have to run home to get their food or worry about getting it made the day before.