Many people enjoy having an informal wedding, for a number of reasons.
Sometimes they simply don't want a grand wedding, as it doesn't suit their temperament.
In other cases, the reasons are financial.
Either way, informal weddings have a long tradition, one even longer and varied than formal or semi-formal weddings.
In this article, I will discuss informal weddings, and how they are usually structured, including dress or reception.
The location of the wedding itself can be quite variable.
On the one hand, if the wedding is religious, it may be held in a house of worship like a wedding of any other level of formality.
Most religions and denominations don't alter their service depending on the formality of the wedding.
On the other hand, if the wedding is non-religious or uses a religious celebrant outside a house of worship, things can become complicated.
For semiformal and formal weddings, there is usually a place set aside for marriage ceremonies near the location of the reception.
This may not be the case for an informal wedding.
So, if you're having your reception in a restaurant, for example, you may need to think of a park or garden nearby for the ceremony itself.
Many public parks have gazebos that can can be booked for just this purpose, but you'll need to book ahead of time.
On the other hand, if you are having your informal wedding at a home, having the ceremony itself at the home will be relatively easy.
Attendants and dress are generally more modest than in a formal or semi-formal wedding.
It is not uncommon for there to simply be a best man and a maid or matron of honor.
Since informal weddings tend to require less preparation, having a smaller wedding party is often sufficient, up to three on each side.
The dress for the bride and groom is generally less formal.
The bride's dress will often be a simple but nice white gown, not even necessarily a "wedding dress", while her attendants will wear something similar.
The groom and attendants wear matching jackets and slacks, not even necessarily a suit (and definitely not a tuxedo).
The guests should wear similar attire, as there is the real possibility of dressing more formally than the bride or groom.
Because of this possibility, you should spread the word that the dress is informal (it should not be put on the invitation).
The reception for an informal wedding usually takes place in either a home or in a restaurant.
In a home, it would usually be catered, but you can even run it as a pot-luck if you so choose.
Remember to make allowances for variation in weather.
At a restaurant, it would usually be a buffet in a rented room of the restaurant.
Usually, informal wedding receptions consist of breakfast or lunch, but it is possible to have an informal dinner reception is that is what suits you, especially if you do it at home.
For music and dancing (if you wish to have it), you can have one of your friends be the "DJ" or just create a playlist of your favorite songs and use your own speakers.