How to have a wedding without a reception and still feel like a wedding

I'm very sorry you're going through this. How difficult for you both.

We had to have a very reduced wedding due to covid (I'm not comparing the two situations at all) but the common point is that we still wanted it to feel like a wedding / celebration despite not being able to have the big do we had hoped for.

So we made the decision to not scrimp on things that we didn't need to scale back on. We couldn't have many guests and a traditional reception, no, but...

We still could have a beautiful (a little bit expensive) ballgown dress, stunning flowers, beautiful music, lots of goodies for the guests to take home, a wonderful cake, some stunning photos etc...

Here are a few ideas:

-Stay at a nice, scenic venue the night before, have your fiance join you for a photosession at the venue before you leave for the reception

-Buy the dress of your dreams - this can be done at very short notice these days. Check out Etsy, online retailers etc - just splash out and who cares if there are only 4 people there, just get your dream dress and enjoy your fiance seeing you in it.

-Have fun choosing your bouquet and don't cut back

-Make goody bags for the guests to take home in memory of your special day

-Have a massive cake made and send pieces of the fruit cake tier to those who couldn't attend

-have live music. Book a violinist, a saxophinist, a pianist... to play for just those of you having a meal together

-see if there's a fancy car you can book to transport you

All of the above can be organised in a week's time. Dresses arrive super fast, the florist could probably make a bouquet for tomorrow, you're bound to find a musician who can play at short notice...try to enjoy the planning together with your fiance and pick out things you both love!

Go all out to make wonderful memories.

IS there amyway you could hire a little venue out and decorate it how you both want to or has a local restaurants i dont think you should have a problem x💗

View quoted message Thank you so much for your response. I was so inspired by it that I went out and went dress shopping today and have bought a dress I never thought I should wear!!!!!! Onwards and upwards. Xx

Wow glad you found a dress now reception to sort out and all the little things you need x💗

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Hi Lisa,

I'm so happy to read this! That's great. If you fancy sharing a picture of it please do

Good luck with all the other preparations and keep us posted!

We couldn't have a reception at all due to Covid and it still felt very much like a wedding (not comparing to your situation which is obviously much tougher, but just pointing out that a wedding doesn't need a reception to feel truly weddingy)

As PPs have said, if you're not having to spend £££ on venue and meals, that gives you more money to splash out on the little details that mean a lot.

See if you can find a small restaurant or pub nearby that will allow you to book a private room for an afternoon tea or special lunch if your fiance will be well enough. You might not have time to get a cake professionally made but you could probably buy a fabulous cake topper to dress up a supermarket one. (We got one from Etsy and it arrived in less than a week)

If you're getting married midweek, you might even be able to get a photographer at short notice, although that might be harder at the weekend in July.

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Here it is!

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Wow! That is so unusual - I've never seen anything like it before. It really suits your figure too.

View quoted message Thank you! Yes I live in Saudi Arabia. Very different dresses here

Oh my i like the style and well everythin about it you look stunning x💗

Wonderful, and it fits like glove! Thanks for sharing, it looks great

How are the plans going hun x💗

View quoted message Awe thanks for checking in on me. Currently trying to get back from Saudi Arabia. Last chemo treatment here in Saudi Sunday-Tuesday. Then flight home Friday. Been in contact with Langley Castle. They do day weddings! Need to get emergency appointment with local registry office asap. Got my ring this weekend. X

View quoted message Hope chemo goes the best it can hun x the castle sounds amazing hopefully you will get somewhere with registry when you get back glad your rings are sorted x💗

View quoted message Hi hun our you back yet how did chemo go silly question but been thinking alot about you both with what your going through x💗 did you get that appointmant to see registrar x💗

View quoted message Awe. Thank you. Came back 7 days ago. Since then have got wedding confirmed with 2 registrars, venue booked, photos and video booked, hair and makeup trial booked, nail trail done! Who needs 2 years to plan!! Only joking I’m exhausted.
Also moving into my fiancés house that’s not been lived in for 3 years, meeting his family (incl 3 grown up kids), doctors appointments. They’re trying to find a slot for chemo for Ian. Hopefully early next week to fit in with the schedule he’s been doing every 2 weeks. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Looks like we won’t get a honeymoon as it’ll be chemo time but that’s ok I guess. I’m stuck on readings for the ceremony and entry and exit music. Any thoughts? Thank you so much for thinking of me. Means a lot xx

View quoted message You have done an amazing job not suprised your exhausted but its worth it thats exiting you get to meet Ians kids x the readings i cant help with but songs what songs mean something to you both x💗 did you decide on veil what did you think of the pic i sent x💗

View quoted message Oh I didn’t see a pic! Please help with readings!!

View quoted message Ooh yes. I remember now. I’m going to order a hair comb instead. What do you think of this.

View quoted message That i like and is unusual like your dress will go well together x💗 i dont know with readings its hard but usually the registrar have there own or you can had words to it x will need to loook into it x💗

View quoted message ❤️ thank you xx

View quoted message Any time here if you need help x💗

View quoted message Hi hun hows it all going x💗

View quoted message Getting there! A week tomorrow - crikey just realised that.


Been too busy with chemo appointments
How about you?

View quoted message It goes so quick x on holiday at the moment where i wanted to originally get married hows the chemo going x and how are you both doing as it gets closer x💗

Good luck for the big day. Cherish every moment and take lots of photos for memories xx

View quoted message Hi hun do you have everthin sorted for the big day x💗

View quoted message Hi Michelle.


Just found out today no car in place for our honeymoon!! He literally had one job! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️Anyway. £1,000 later for last minute car and we’re sorted. Going to Lake District for a few days in between chemo treatments. Thank you so much for asking xx

View quoted message Glad you sorted it hun x💗

View quoted message One day to go hope chemo is going the best it can hun hope you both have an amazing day tomorrow x💗 cant wait to see your pics and you in that dress x

View quoted message Bless you! Thank you so much. Yes. Not long to go. Can barely breathe at the mo!!
Xx

View quoted message Bless you aint needed hun hope you are both doing okay all the best for the big day x💗 Enjoy every moment of it and all the planning you have done will be so worth it when you both to say i do x💗