If your wedding ceremony is just the two of you, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a reception. It’s your wedding day, and you still deserve to celebrate it!
Halls Chophouse in downtown Greenville is the place most of my couples go to after their elopement or engagement.
Elopement Reception Ideas:
1. Have a meal catered for two at your ceremony site or wherever you’re staying.
Some caterers will deliver and set it up, just like they would for a traditional reception. A local restaurant might offer this as well. Eat some good food, cut your cake, pop some champagne, and enjoy the rest of your wedding day!
Side note: Since traditional wedding cakes tend to be a lot for two people, some of my elopement couples have had alternatives to cake, like donuts, ice cream, or even a charcuterie board. Some have nothing at all. Everything you need to know about wedding cake and desserts is in this blog, featuring my mom, who does this professionally.
2. Make a dinner reservation.
You can celebrate at one of your favorite places to eat together, or you can treat yourselves to a new restaurant that’s a higher-end dining experience than what you’d normally choose.
3. Bring your own food to have a picnic with a view.
Make your own food, order takeout, or use a picnic service! Yes, picnic services are a thing—check out one service based out of Greenville!
4. Have a big reception with your family and friends on another day.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but there are three reasons that come to mind for why someone might want to do it this way:
You like the idea of celebrating with other people, but still want the privacy and intimacy of an elopement ceremony.
It’s hard to get both of your families together. For example, my cousin married someone whose family lived overseas, so they had one reception with her family and one reception with his.
I’ve seen some couples who have a smaller ceremony before their planned wedding date to accommodate extenuating circumstances, like military deployment or to include a relative who is terminally ill. It’s easier to accommodate that person than everyone you plan to invite to a bigger wedding.
5. Just have a quick cake/snack.
You can bring a cake or snack with you, have the moment, and then move onto other fun stuff. You can even stop and grab something like ice cream if you’re close enough to somewhere that offers it.
6. Meet up with your friends at your favorite bar.
A lot of my couples would rather just have a fun night out in a familiar place with their friends with no planning on their end. Use a limo or an Uber to get back home safely—it’s up to you!
7. Have a tasting.
If you’re really into beer or wine, try the local favorites together. This is an especially good idea if you have your wedding in a winery or brewery.
Remember:
At the end of the day, you’re married, and that’s what matters most. Your day can look however you want it to. These photos are to give you ideas for what you want, not to tell you what you should have.
Ready for the best day ever?
Photo by Shehzad Ziaee
My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 47 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.
One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.
I can’t wait to meet you!
