Hi my husband and I got married in a small private ceremony in 2009. The wedding was held at a beach in the same state as my husbands family and where we live so most of his family came to the wedding/reception. My immediate family was present as well. This year we will be having a big wedding reception in my hometown state where my big family and lots of friends will be attending. Do I send invitations to my husbands family for the reception even though they attended and sent gifts to us for the wedding/reception? Thanks.

Donna, Wedding Queen, President; Top Wedding Sites,

A wedding reception is usually held within a year of the ceremony, so you may want to call this something other than a reception. In any event, a reception doesn’t obligate the guest to send a gift (that’s only for the wedding) so you can send invitations to anyone you want to attend without feeling like you’re asking them for a second gift. However, since you really already had a wedding and reception, I’d encourage you to host some other type of celebration – just call it something else.

Valerie79

I guess I should add that we didn’t really have a reception after our wedding it was a dinner. We clearly wrote on the wedding invitation “No gifts Please” however we received gifts anyway from his side of the family.

Donna, Wedding Queen, President; Top Wedding Sites

It’s still a little too late to be hosting a reception.

FYI – we never mention gifts on a wedding or reception invitations, even if it’s to say that gifts aren’t expected.We leave that decision up to our guests.

Rebecca Black, Etiquette By Rebecca

I agree. Receptions are held within the first year. After that you’d be celebrating anniversaries. It’s too early to celebrate yours with others though. So, I’m not sure what you’d call this event. But, it’s not a reception or an anniversary. I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine what you can do at this point besides celebrating some sort of “gathering” with family. Family reunion?

Brandi Hamerstone

I agree with all of the previous post, there is no way to hold anything that resembles a “reception” well over a year after your wedding without confusing everyone. It could just be a celebration of your marriage for the sake of enjoying everyones company and getting all of your families together. Gifts are never, really, to be expected, so you don’t have to worry too much about what to say in terms of gifts, just let it go without mention at all. So, just invite all your friends and family to join you in celebrating your love and enjoy yourselves!