Is it weird to have a reception weeks after you get married?

[aspasia]

It is neither wierd nor in poor taste. It is, however, unusual; and therefore you must take care that your intentions are not misunderstood.

A "reception" is simply a social occasion for admitting persons and providing them with shelter and refreshments. In the long-ago days before facebook and "C.S.I", people used to go to receptions for the simple pleasure of socializing with one another. They especially liked to hang around and socialize after events like weddings that had already brought them together to watch the ceremony; but that didn't stop them from having them at other times, too.

In fact, an "at Home" reception by the new couple immediately following their wedding trip was an expected occurrence. It was how the new bride introduced herself to society as a social hostess. But if your home isn't big enough for an "at Home" reception the generosity inherent in renting a hall and providing food and drink so that your friends can enjoy one anothers' company is still a generous act on your part.

You must remember, though, that you are *hosts* and not guests of honour. You are newlyweds, but not "the bride and groom". Act accordingly. For example, serve your guests cake -- from an elegant multi-tiered cake by all means! -- but don't make them stop their conversations to watch your husband and you feed one another the first bite! Dance if you like, even dancing first with your husband for a few measures to open the floor, but don't go through a series of showcase dances of "the bride and her father", "the groom and his mother", "the bride's second cousin once removed and the celebrant's godson" and so on. If you must have toasts, toast your guests rather than having them toast you (and, of course, don't expect guests to travel for such an event -- people travel for the ceremony but a party after the fact is a strictly local event).

With a little social acumen you can make your reception a lovely event and leave your guests looking forward to your next party. And that is the point of such receptions: to maintain the social ties that enrich life and keep your community healthy and interacting. Any "rules" that discourage such pleasant entertainments are not only made up, but frankly anti-social. You really are entitled to give as many parties over the next five or six decades as a married lady, as you have the resources to give. And may you be very happy, and enjoy every one.

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