Ceremony Only Ideas - Help :)

Im also doing this!!! We’re doing our ceremony in October and reception in April. I am saving all the dances and fun stuff for the reception, but will still have a small cake and get together for family after the ceremony. We’re thinking of just renting a private room at a restaurant or something along those lines!

That’s a good question! I wonder too what we will do if we go through with our plan B (ceremony only even more intimate wedding).

Plan B is we would have just our parents and sibling(s) present, and provide some nice takeout. We have an Airbnb reserved for the ceremony, lodging and getting ready, and there’s enough space that everyone could have a nice dinner there too afterwards. But it would be nice to have some other traditions like dances, maybe even a cake to make it more special? Idk

View Quoted Comment I’m so glad I’m not alone with this! I was going back and forth on the cake but now I think I will definitely get one! And that’s a great idea - maybe getting together off site afterwards to keep the party going Thanks! And congrats and good luck with your wedding prep!

View Quoted Comment Right!? I kept thinking about doing the dances next year but then I kept thinking about the whole “first” dance and was like that seems odd to wait a year! I love your Airbnb idea I hope everything turns out wonderful on your day no matter what plan you choose! Congrats and good luck

View Quoted Comment

Thanks girl! You too!

It’ll be great either way!

We are currently touring a few venues that offer small wedding/elopement style packages that can accommodate 10-20 guests. Our general idea is to have a simple and sweet ceremony (pictures before and after and maybe 'getting ready' pictures if there is a venue that offers the bridal/groom suites) and we want to have a potluck with the rest of the family/friends the day after in the evening time at our home. If we do any dances this is when we would do them but it wont be as formal. The potluck will give us the opportunity to spend time with everyone and it cuts down costs like crazy. We may even add on a cake cutting and toast for after the ceremony. I think your ideas are great!!

Hi Megan,

I love the idea of incorporating your daddy/daughter dance into your ceremony only day. This will be so special for the two of you! I also agree with the recommendations above.

Having a small cake for your guests to enjoy is a great idea, as well! Reminds me of weddings from back in the day. They used to only serve cake and juice, then the day was done!

Keep us posted on what you end up deciding!

I literally just had my ceremony last month at my grandmother's house because she passed away in July and we gotta sell her house so I wanted to hurry and do it before the snow started. I had just my Aunts, uncle's, parents, kids, siblings and my grandfather. Then, I had a little reception at my grandfather's since he is gonna be 96 next month and hard with walking it was just easier for him to be there so it was in his garage. Some people made food and brought it, we had drinks kind of a byob type of deal, my one aunt made my cake and I had the first dance, the mother/daughter dance, the father/daughter dance and my son and I did a dance in memory of my gram to her favorite singer, Elvis Presley....the grooms mother had left before we did the dances because it was late. After all that we all just hung out and drank and danced. It was nice. But next year for our 1 year I'm doing the reception for other family members and friends to be able to celebrate with us. I'm doing that at an actual venue since we have so many guest we want to invite. Hope this helps.