Hi, I'm getting married where my parents and fiancee live but it is 2,000 miles from where my fiancee's parents and family lives. We can only afford a small wedding so we are only inviting immediate family and close friends.
My fiancee's family wants to have a party for us approx 3 mos before the wedding where they live for all the relatives and family friends who are not going to be invited. Also my fiancee's family is putting pressure on us to invite relatives to the wedding that, frankly, we can't afford to invite.
My question is: Is that rude? Should the party be held after the wedding sort of like a reception for a destination wedding? Also, how should we handle the pressure for the extra invites?
It may be best for your fiancee to speak to her family. You two plan, host, and invite. They don't. Plus, only those invited to the wedding may be invited to any prewedding party, because there is always the inference that gifts may be expected, even when they are not. So, there should be no party before the wedding. They may host a second reception if they and you wish. This shouldn't be considered a gift giving event, although some guests may wish to give one.
Wedding Party Before Wedding
