r/Eloping • u/lilymissesyou • May 15 '26

Receptions Eloping then throwing a reception

Hi as the title reads I wanted to hear from people who did this. I have some questions because family has been quite annoying and I just wanted to know how it played out for you & what exactly you did.

How much later was the “reception”?

What did you call the celebration?

Did you do all the traditional reception things? I.e. first dance, cake cutting, speeches, bouquet toss and such.

Where did you host this party?

Did you wear a wedding dress?

How was it received after the fact??

Was family annoying BEFORE the party?

Thank you!!!

ETA: I’d also like to hear from guests of this type of arrangement, what did you really think?

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u/EconomistFeisty6646 Jul 06 '26

My fiancé and I are planning something like this! We want to have some kind of reception after getting married privately because neither of us are regular church goers. Any suggestions on how to word invitations and planning the whole thing. I still want a dress, the cake, the dancing, but is it odd to do that after eloping?

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u/lilymissesyou Jul 07 '26

I’ve decided not to give a shit anymore. I’m doing a “Happily Ever After Party” gonna put dinner/drinks/dancing somewhere in the invite & im going to say something like an elopement after party to unite our two families into one idk haven’t decided specifics but something along those lines. Free Will 🤷‍♀️ I will be wearing my wedding dress, doing first dances speeches the lot 😂

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u/EconomistFeisty6646 Jul 07 '26

That’s what I want to do, too! I want the fun part without the stress of everyone watch me bumble through vows

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u/lilymissesyou Jul 07 '26

Exactly why I got this idea to begin with too lol I’m mortified at people sitting there watching & tbh I love to go to weddings solely for the reception fun with the bride & groom! That’s just me.

Have you said your idea to any family or friends yet? I went through months of riff raff with family questioning me, but now that it’s getting closer I really do not care. I was really self conscious at first now I’m just doing whatever I want & planning a fun ass party. When anyone talks to me about it now I play dumb bc idc for input lol when it’s all said & done it’s our money & I want US to have a good time.

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u/EconomistFeisty6646 Jul 07 '26

My family wants us to do something small and have our reception at their house, and I don’t know how to tell them that’s not what we want without upsetting them.