Sending wedding invitations for a reception after a destination wedding

Your destination wedding can be a fantastic and totally unique experience. While you'd like to take all of your friends and family with you, it is just not always possible for everyone to travel and get away for your wedding. In this instance, it is very common to hold another wedding reception once you have returned home. Keep your wedding invitations for your destination wedding few and save them for the reception when you return.

Invitations and announcements
Typically your destination wedding will be smaller than a traditional wedding. Since this may be the case, when planning your at-home reception plan on sending more wedding invitations than wedding announcements. Keep the reception small and light while you're away and have a big bash when you return. This may be the one occasion when you can combine the wedding invitation and wedding announcement. Announce your wedding and then invite guests to your reception.

In some cases, if the actual wedding ceremony is much earlier than the planned 'at home' reception, a wedding announcement is sent separate from the wedding invitation. In this instance, you'd send a wedding invitation to those who are coming to the destination wedding, a wedding announcement to everyone else and then another wedding reception invitation to those you'd like to have at the 'at home' reception.

Reception
Once you've decided what you're going to do for the reception, you should get those invitations in the mail. And make no mistake - this is not an everyday kind of party. You should treat this party as a real wedding reception, as that is what it is - just without the ceremony. You should have a wedding cake that you and the groom cut, a first dance and even toasts. Take advantage of this opportunity to wear your wedding dress again, this is probably the only time you will get to re-wear your wedding dress.

Elopement
There is no rule that states that you can't have a reception after you've eloped. And there is also no rule that states that you have to have a reception. It's your wedding and you can have it your way. If you do decide to have a wedding reception after you've eloped, make sure your wedding reception invitations state "we've eloped." From there you can treat your reception as any other bride would. You can still cut the cake and have the first dance if you wish. Again, this might be the one and only place you can wear your wedding dress again.

Just an announcement
Some couples choose to elope as a way to avoid the expense of a wedding reception. This practice is perfectly acceptable as it is your wedding and you can do what you'd like. In this instance, make sure you send a wedding announcement to all of your friends and family. And while they may want to celebrate with you, it may have to be done on a smaller scale.

This is your wedding and you can make your plans any way you choose. Enjoy your romantic destination wedding and then come home and enjoy a great wedding reception. And if you decide to elope you've got lots of great options for wedding invitations and wedding announcements.

Check out MyExpression.com for great wedding invitations. You'll also find great wedding announcements and much more for all of your wedding stationery needs.

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