Wedding Etiquette - Just attend the reception?

ryanthegirl · September 2013

We're invited to the wedding of my bff's brother tomorrow. We RSVP'd over a month ago.

Casey is working very late tonight and won't get home until mid morning tomorrow. The wedding is over an hour away from us. The ceremony is at 3 (meaning we would have to leave between 1:15-1:30), the reception is at 5:30. Casey really needs to sleep (and spend a little time with G!).

Is it really awful if we skip the ceremony and just attend the reception? I've never done that. I personally wouldn't have been offended if any of our guests did that, especially b/c of a wacky work schedule.

I really like her brother and FI - but we're not particularly close or anything.

Thoughts?

Also, should I send the bride a head's up or just let my BFF know?

waltsgirl102503 · September 2013

It is perfectly fine. The RSVP is really for the food/dinner at the reception. (They don't have to pay for anyone at the church!) So you're perfectly okay skipping the wedding. If you want to let someone know, I think it's fine to just tell your BFF.

ryanthegirl · September 2013

That was my thought too, Amber. I just feel kind of bad,

I don't know this girl that well and I'm not sure if it would offend her - like we were just showing up for the party but not the "real reason" for the day, ya know? Thanks!

kris356 · September 2013

I agree with Amber, if you want to tell someone tell your BFF. We had several people only come to the reception because of their work schedule and we totally understood. No offense taken. Actually, I couldn't tell you who was actually at the church besides my family.

waltsgirl102503 · September 2013

I really don't think it would offend her. And like Kris said, I don't remember who was at the actual ceremony except the people that I'm really close to. A lot of DH's relatives only came to the reception since we got married here and they're all from Johnstown.