The wedding reception is, by tradition, a grand celebration wherein the two families converge to toast to the newlyweds' marriage. While your reception is the perfect opportunity to bring everyone together, some couples nowadays opt for two receptions to accommodate a large group of guests.
Here, couples who have two receptions usually have a handful guests living out of town or abroad, and planning two receptions ensures that no group is forgotten in the celebration. If you're thinking of holding two wedding receptions, check out the pros and cons below.
Pros
1. More people from out of town can celebrate with you
Sometimes, it happens that loved ones have a hard time flying in just in time for your wedding. Whether you schedule another reception in your city for out of town guests, or you fly out to visit friends and relatives, a second reception allows you to involve more people in your celebration. Having a second reception prevents the tampo that some relatives might be prone to feeling if you're having just one reception that they can't attend.
2. You'll spend more time with guests
Since having two receptions will allow you to break up a larger group, you have more time to mingle with guests. The quick hello that you would have given a guest can expand into an enjoyable conversation (at a typical reception, you'll only get to greet guests when you and your husband do the rounds for the picture taking).
3. You can separate guests who don't get along well
Sometimes, you can't help it that there's bad blood between two guests. If you're having two receptions, you can prevent any drama by separating two (or more) guests who can't stand each other. Typically, you don't invite the same people to the first and second reception (unless they're immediate family), so you can share the day with both concerned parties without having to choose sides.
Cons
1. You might spend more money and time in planning
Planning one reception is challenging enough, but preparing for two can mean you'll have to go through twice the trouble. Generally, hotels and other reception venues offer larger discounts if you're entertaining a bigger crowd. Special banquet packages are usually for parties with a minimum of 100 guests, and if you're having a more intimate affair, you can't avail of such packages. Two receptions would also mean spending more time coordinating with the reception staff--delegate tasks to close friends and family so you don't feel overwhelmed.
2. You'll need to keep tabs on two RSVP lists
Because you'll be throwing two parties, that means you'll have two guest lists--and consequently, two sets of RSVP lists. This can be pretty challenging since you might have to shuffle guests around to accommodate them on either parties (for instance, a guest can't make it to the first reception so you invite him/her to the second instead). Resist the urge to tell everyone you're having two parties to prevent special requests for transfers, and assign at least two friends or relatives as point persons for each reception.
