I am so confused on what to do, please someone help me! I am planning our wedding for October 15, 2005. We decided to invite immediate family only for a few reasons, 1- inviting both families we would have over 300 guests and can not afford to pay for everyone. 2nd - It is my fiance's second marriage and were both in our 30's and 3rd - we just couldn't see spending all that money on one day, we would rather save for a house. We planned to go on a yacht for a public Dinner cruise, we will be boarding early and having the ceremony on the yacht and then the cocktail hour, sit down dinner, dancing and dessert. I started to tell a few friends what we planned on doing and they insisted on inviting themselves since it's a public cruise. I thought this was a wonderful idea and I'm so happy that they will be there for our special day and that they offered to pay for themselves. Just from word of mouth there's another 40 people reserving spots for the dinner cruise (I feel so loved ) but here's where my problem starts.... I would like to send out wedding announcements to all of our family and friends stating this information, but how do I do it without sounding tacky and cheap???? I know if I don't get the word out, other people will be upset that they didn't know they could come, but I'm afraid others will be insulted for asking them to pay for themselves!!! Is there any way to word this?
There really is no way that you can send announcements to everyone that you are getting married, those are mailed out after you are married. Plus, you are not 'inviting' guests they are just showing up. So, you cannot send anything that resembles invitations. The only thing I can think of is to create a wedding web site and announce your plans there and tell all of your family to get the word out. It is amazing how fast the word can get move.
I am in a similar situation. It's my fiance's second marriage and we're in our mid-30's. We're flying to Vegas to be married by Elvis (something I want) and my friends are all coming & paying for themselves just because it sounds like a lot of fun. I think it's probably going to be over 50 people. But I want to let my family know (some people that I don't talk to that often). I was planning on sending out an announcement of our engagement along with our plans for the wedding. This way they know about it if they would like to be there but it's not an invitation. Would this be proper considering that the whole thing is a little unconventional? Thanks.
I'm sorry, but announcements are sent out after the wedding to 'announce' your wedding. You can invite everyone to your wedding using invitations. Those who can travel will and those cannot won't. But, at least everyone will know of your plans. And, your plans are not so unconventional these days. Many people are choosing to marry in this manner.
Well, maybe not by Elvis. :)
To all of those whom you wish to invite, you could send 'Save the Date' cards or magnets. On these, you tell your guests of your intention to marry in Vegas so they can plan for travel. Then follow up with invitations.
Of course the wedding website is a wonderful addition also. It only takes a few hours to set up and conveys all of your information--including your gift registry.
Help! Wedding Invitation Dilemma
I am so confused on what to do, please someone help me! I am planning our wedding for October 15, 2005. We decided to invite immediate family only for a few reasons, 1- inviting both families we would have over 300 guests and can not afford to pay for everyone. 2nd - It is my fiance's second marriage and were both in our 30's and 3rd - we just couldn't see spending all that money on one day, we would rather save for a house. We planned to go on a yacht for a public Dinner cruise, we will be boarding early and having the ceremony on the yacht and then the cocktail hour, sit down dinner, dancing and dessert. I started to tell a few friends what we planned on doing and they insisted on inviting themselves since it's a public cruise. I thought this was a wonderful idea and I'm so happy that they will be there for our special day and that they offered to pay for themselves. Just from word of mouth there's another 40 people reserving spots for the dinner cruise (I feel so loved 
) but here's where my problem starts.... I would like to send out wedding announcements to all of our family and friends stating this information, but how do I do it without sounding tacky and cheap???? 
I know if I don't get the word out, other people will be upset that they didn't know they could come, but I'm afraid others will be insulted for asking them to pay for themselves!!! Is there any way to word this? 
