need help wording invites

ladeei3

My FH and I are in a bit of an awkward situation...We are getting married in Jamaica in November of this year, just the two of us...However, we are planning a "pre-wedding reception" at home for our family and friends on August 3rd.

I need help wording my invitations...

So far, this is what i've got:

Please join us

for a pre-nuptial party

celebrating the (should I insert upcomming?) wedding of

(BRIDES NAME)

and

(GROOMS NAME)

-

Four o'clock in the afternoon

Saturday the Third of August

Two Thousand Thirteen

-

Venue Name

Venue Address

How would I go about telling the guests/family that we are getting married in Jamaica but are having a pre-wedding reception to celebrate with them? Should that be included on the invitation or on a seperate insert in the invitation envelope?

itzMS

IMHO, a reception type party in August is inappropriate for a wedding in November. 3 months ahead of time is a bit much and appears gift grabby. I am assuming none of these guests are invited to Jamaica? Why can't you have an athome reception after the DW?

ladeei3

We actually are not expecting or asking for gifts from anyone. We simply want to be able to celebrate our upcoming marriage with our family since no one will be invited to Jamaica with us. Also, my FH and I live in Florida --- However, our pre-nuptial party will be taking place in Pennsylvania (which is where most of our family lives).

We thought about having a reception after the wedding in Florida, but most of our family could not afford to attend. Which brings me back to a pre-wedding party.

Having a reception up there after the wedding is not really feasible either due to the cold weather (unless we are looking at having it several months after our wedding) ---

 

itzMS

I still don't think the August party should be anything related to your wedding. Sorry. "Cold weather" really isn't a reason to host an August AHR for a November DW.

banana468

In Response to Re:need help wording invites:[QUOTE]We actually are not expecting or asking for gifts from anyone.nbsp;We simply want to be able to celebrate our upcoming marriage with our family since no one will be invited to Jamaica with us. Also, my FH and I live in Florida However, our prenuptial party will be taking place in Pennsylvania which is where most of our family lives.We thought about having a reception after the wedding in Florida, but most of our family could not afford to attend. Which brings me back to a prewedding party.Having a reception up there after the wedding is not really feasible either due to the cold weather unless we are looking at having it several months after our wedding nbsp; Posted by ladeei3[/QUOTE]

Then do the post wedding celebration after the wedding.

This has a lot of hair on it. It's not nice to invite guests to any pre or post wedding get together if they're not invited to the main event and there is no such thing as a pre wedding reception.

Remember, you need to decline any shower that doesn't have the intimate guest list you will have for the DW.

itzMS

Wait... you're the same poster wanted to know how to word an invite to your wedding and reception at a residence. How are you getting married both in Jamaica and at your father's house?

mrsbobfilson

I researched ETIQUETTE and I found 2 important points.

1. An engagement party must be held 30 to 40 days within the engagement.

2. It is rude to host a party in your honor AND to invite people who won't be invited to the wedding.

google etiquette for yourself.

ladeei3

You all are missing the point...I just needed help with wording...I honestly do not care what you have to say about when, where, and how I choose to host MY wedding festivities. 

Trying to please two families in two different states all while doing what my FH and I want is difficult...this is the compromise we have come up with and both of our families support us in our decision to have a DW...they are just asking for the opportunity to celebrate with us.

I cannot believe I feel like I am having to explain myself to a bunch of people who I do not even know.

As far as an engagement party goes - we have been engaged for 8 months and have not had one nor do we plan on having one - no "showers" either. 

So please keep your negative comments to yourselves!!