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Ask Carley: What’s a tiered reception/

By Carley Roneyscripps Howard News Service 2 min read

Q: What on Earth is a tiered reception? I keep hearing that I shouldn’t do it, but I don’t even know what the heck it is.

A: Couples who have tiered receptions invite some guests to both the ceremony and entire reception, and then others to the ceremony and the latter (read: after the $100-a-plate meal) portion of the party.

Our opinion? It’s a bad idea. Anyone invited to the wedding should be asked to attend both your ceremony and your reception in its entirety. By having a tiered reception, you’re basically saying to certain guests, “You’re not important enough for me to feed you. Just come hang out when the party’s almost over.”

Cue the hurt feelings.

If you’re on a tight budget and have a circle of friends (work acquaintances, for example) you can’t afford to invite to the reception, consider a small reception. Then, at a later date, plan a big party at a bar where everyone pays his or her own way. You’ll still be able to celebrate with them, but in an open, honest, non-awkward forum.

(Carley Roney, co-founder and editor in chief of The Knot, the nation’s leading wedding resource, advises millions of brides on modern wedding etiquette at www.theknot.com. Got more questions?)

Visit www.theknot.com/askcarley for 800-plus answers on all things wedding.)

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