Hi! My fiance and I are getting married in Costa Rica in August and his parents want to throw a "celebration" of our upcoming marriage in their hometown in July (upstate New York). While I have reservations about having a party before the marriage takes place, his family insists it will help take the obligation off of many families to travel to Costa Rica. Most of the families that would attend in July live in or near the hometown. We live in NYC, 6 hours away from the hometown.
Our initial concept is a paperless "save the date" and then a slightly more formal mailed card a couple months before July to ask for RSVPs. How do I word this invitation? "Please join us as we celebrate the upcoming marriage of X and Y? Hosted by X's parents"?
I've suggested having a JOP ceremony prior to the July event so we are in fact married, but am worried that will take away from the people traveling in August.
Sorry this sounds so complicated! Thanks for any tips/suggestions.