Courtesy invites to out of country guests

jmquiroga

So, I spent a year abroad (living with host families) in Europe a few years ago, and most of my fiance's family is still living in his home country in South America.  I would really like to send wedding invitations to family and host families.  However, I don't want them to feel obligated to make a huge trip out here for a wedding, and I don't want them to feel bad when they decline - we just want to share this news with them.  I would like to include a handwritten note about how we wanted to let them know, and that they should not feel obliged to come.  But as you can see, I'm completely floundering on the wording.  Any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch!

libby2483

I would just send the invitation and not worry about including a note. People know that an invitation is not a summons, and they are always free to decline if they can't make it. You might be suprised who will make the trip.

tiny speck

Just send the invitation. If they can't make it, they'll send their regrets.

AddieCake

People know they are not obligated to come. Like Libby said, it's an invitation, not a subpoena. Just send the invitation. 

OliveOilsMom

Ditto prior posters.  Another thing you could do is just send Wedding Announcements to these people the day after your wedding.

MoxieMickie

Like pp, I wouldn't be worried they think you are demanding they would attend. My concern would be that an invitation would look gift grabby, but you are the best judge of your dynamic. Just be sure to count them in your budget/space. You never know when someone will decide your wedding is the perfect opportunity to visit.

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_courtesy-invites-to-out-of-country-guests?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:c86bc781-2b0c-469e-9d03-25f48efdc19fPost:7951c026-6299-46d8-a2d1-007a79160ff7">Re: Courtesy invites to out of country guests</a>:
[QUOTE]Ditto prior posters.  <strong>Another thing you could do is just send Wedding Announcements to these people the day after your wedding.</strong>
Posted by OliveOilsMom[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I would be very hurt if I was family and I didn't receive an invite and just was sent an announcement after the fact. </div><div>
</div><div>OP - Send the invites.  Let your guests be the ones to decide whether or not they can attend.  Don't make the decision for them.

</div>

[Deleted User]

Send them, you may be surprised. I had several out of country guests that were invited & some of them came. They wanted to experience an American Wedding. Lol...the ironic part is that we got married in a German church (that was my dream from a little girl) so my aunts who came from Germany got a semi-American wedding ceremony.