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HELP! My girlfriend and I have decided that it would probably better for us just to do a reception/commitment party instead of the classic ceremony and reception. Money wise it would be easier for us and we could put our whole budget into making it a fantastic party instead of dresses and ceremony location, etc. Plus we have several family members on both sides that are very supportive but dont necesarily believe in gay marriages, so we thought rather than leaving them out of the ceremony or having them "come because they want to be supportive" but are possibly not comfortable or not behaving properly, we could just avoid the situation all together. It also aleviates the whole really long boring ceremony, and the problem of what to wear, etc. So since we have decided to do just "reception" part my questions are this:
1) I really want to incorporate some sort of mini ceremony where maybe we each say a few words, and exchange rings, any ideas on how to incorporate this? or how it should be done?
2) We want people to know that this is more than "just a party" how can we convey that?
3) Also any otrher ideas/sugesstions would be really helpul.

Thanx

First I have to tell you that the ceremony is probably the most rewarding part of the whole event, it may seem boring from the outsider, but as the ones getting married it's so emotional, there is not feeling like it.

What I have done in the past is start the whole evening with the reception first. After dinner have your guests follow you to a special location and have your ceremony surrounded by your friends and family - just standing around you, maybe holding candles (very romantic). After the ceremony escort your guests to another section to have the dancing and the party. You can divide the areas with curtains or pipe and drape and reveal them as you use them.

Another idea is to have a private ceremony with a selct number of people who are supportive followed by a reception. This is more informal and maybe as a nod to your ceremony, you can show pictures of you getting married on screens throughout the reception.

As far as letting people know its more than a party, I think you need to put in there something like, join us for a celebration of our love...

Hope taht helps.

Thanks so much for your help. We actually have been talking it over more and have decided to go ahead and have a small family/close friends ceremony before the reception. Working out our ideas for this event has really b rought us closer together. Thanks again for your input.