had private wedding, bigger wedding canceled, announcements too late?
My husband and I seem to be in a somewhat unique predicament. We were married last September at our local courthouse with only immediate family present. Our intention was then to have a large wedding to invite about 100 people in May 2009. About a month ago several things happened causing us to have to cancel the May wedding altogether. We lost a lot of money by doing this and because we had already done couples portraits, we would like to send out announcements to everyone, but are concerned it is too far after our smaller wedding. People have asked us if we have registered anywhere as they slowly find out about May having been canceled. While we don't want to mention anything about gifts or registry in the announcement, is it too late to send them? What would the best approach be in this situation? Thank you in advance! ~Meg~
(This post was
edited by GAMeg on Jan 25, 2009, 1:14 PM)
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Re: had private wedding, bigger wedding canceled, announcements too late?
[In reply to]
GAMeg,
Actually, this situation has been discussed fully many times on this forum and by well-known etiquette specialists often. It may help to read through a few of our posts, as our view is shared with these specialists.
Although you lost money cancelling your "wedding" in May, it is very appropriate to have done so, as it wouldn't have been a wedding. You already had one. To host another, is not proper and viewed as very negative, as if you are play acting and hoping for gifts.
No mention of gifts should ever be included in invitations or announcements. Annoucements do not obligate the receiver to give a gift. Only those invited and actually attend the wedding are obligated.
The time to send announcements has passed. You could simply inform people verbally about your marital status. However, you could host a reception within a year of your wedding. This is also not a gift giving event. If you choose to host a reception, you wouldn't announce your wedding to those receiving an invitation.