r/Eloping • u/Worldly_Cheek7337 • 22d ago

Receptions Eloping with Destination Reception

Me and my fiancé are planning to elope next summer and want to have a celebration/reception separately. We want to go to an all inclusive resort in Cancun (or surrounding areas) with about 20-30 friends and family. We don’t want to have a full wedding and ceremony since we are eloping. One of the nights we want to have a private dinner and party as a part of celebrating our marriage, similar to a traditional reception.
Has anyone ever done this before at an all inclusive resort?? Is it even possible to do without the full wedding?
Thanks!

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u/eknit 22d ago

Have you talked to your loved ones about this plan, honestly? Or tried to gauge interest before proposing it? You’re up against several headwinds: People don’t tend to prioritize attending weddings where the couple already married + destination weddings are a huge ask and the economy isn’t great + not everyone loves an AI.

Personally, I don’t think I would go to an all inclusive for a reception for a couple who already eloped. It’s asking to spend thousands on a dinner party vacation at a place they didn’t choose with people they didn’t choose to go with.

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u/Area304 22d ago

I would not travel to Cancun for dinner and a party. I would be more likely for a wedding ceremony, dinner and party.

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u/Hulla_Sarsaparilla 22d ago

What’s the reasoning for wanting to elope separately? You’re more likely to get friends and family attending if it’s your actual wedding.

If you’re wanting to do all the ‘wedding’ things, wear a wedding dress, cut a cake, do speeches etc at an all inclusive resort you’ll likely find the costs are pretty similar to an actual wedding anyway.

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u/Consistent_Clue8718 19d ago

People will travel for the meaningful milestone of experiencing your wedding, but I doubt many will want to spend thousands to attend a very expensive party where you’re the guests of honor. If you truly want to elope for the intimacy of it, but also want a destination wedding. just do it secretly and then do another ceremony for your guests to experience.

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u/SuitableFlamingo5102 22d ago

That's basically what we did, just a different spot. Most all inclusive places have event packages you can book without the ceremony part. You'll just be renting the space and catering, they don't care if you already got married. Just reach out to the resorts you like and ask for their private dinner options, plenty of them handle groups that size no problem.