What is standard procedure for a post- destination wedding reception?

Question

I am confused as to what is standard procedure for when you have a destination wedding and then have a reception back at home. What should the time frame be?
I was thinking of doing our reception 4-5 months after the wedding so it would be in the summertime and the weather would be nice, but then everybody I suggested it to thought it was weird. But then I was on a website that had wording for invitations etc. and the destination ones all said something to the effect of; "Bride & Groom were married on DATE, TIME, PLACE. Please come celebrate with a reception... blah blah"
This made me think, how could you send out an invite AFTER the wedding for a reception that closely follows the wedding but still gives guest enough notice to attend? This doesnt make sense to me!
Please give me your opinions

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Most of the post wedding receptions I have been invited to occur 1-2 months after a couple has returned from their honeymoon. Typically invitations to post wedding receptions are sent 4-6 weeks prior to the date. This can easily be accomplished by preparing your reception invitations before your wedding and having a family member or friend mail them out for your after you have had your ceremony while you're still on your honeymoon.

You can still have your post wedding reception in 4-5 months if that would be better for you. But I would still send wedding announcements the day after your wedding with a save the date for your post wedding reception. (We had a family member mail our announcement right after the ceremony.)Then you can follow the announcement/save the date with a formal post wedding reception invitation 4 weeks prior to the date.

Answer 2

Generally you need to allow no fewer than 4 weeks. If you sent out invitations as soon as you returned, you could have it a month after your wedding.

If you want it closer then you can send out the invitations before the wedding with wording like "so and so will be married in Aruba on XX and would like to invite you to a reception on this day" (you get the idea).

If you want it 4-5 months after I would send wedding announcements immediately after your return with "save the date" cards. Then follow it up with an invitation at a more appropriate time.

This clearly lets your guests know a reception is coming in a time frame that makes sense to your wedding date, yet allows you to have the reception in a time that works for you.

Good Luck

Answer 3

4 - 5 months is kinda a way off from the actually wedding. but doing it in the summer time seems really nice. so i suggest you get you wedding recorded. and then at the reception play it maybe even doing your first dance again for everybody and your dance with your father again. wear you wedding dress if you want it to be formal, that way for the people who missed it it wont seem like the time was to far from the actually wedding, because it will be like they were there.

Answer 4

Having a wedding reception four to five months after the wedding is absolutely absurd. A wedding reception is always done on the date of the wedding. To make this possible plan the event where everybody can attend like on a Saturday of Sunday.

Answer 5

Have it within a month. Specify no gifts.

Answer 6

I think 4-5 months is a little to long after the wedding. Typically 30-45 days is a good time frame! As far as invitations go, send out wedding announcements the week of your wedding...that say something along the lines of Jack and Jill will be united in marriage on _____ in _______ for a destination wedding and honeymoon and would like to share your company in a reception honoring them at _______ on __________. You could serve cake, and food or munchies....have dancing, games and share photos and videos of the wedding! Have a scrapbook available for your guests to view! I would not request gifts or put any registry information on the announcements, although some will probably bring them....if you have already registered or want to, I'd spread this by word of mouth only!