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How do I word these invitations???
Here's the situation. My fiancé is a Marine. He's currently stationed in Quantico at TBS, he graduates May 9th, and he needs to be in Oklahoma by June 1st. So with our small planning window, and limited money what wetried to do is have some aspects of a big wedding, but ultimately, this is not going to be a blow out that costs tens of thousands. I wanted to invite immediate and extended family members to the ceremony and to a cocktail hour. (I figured inviting them to the cocktail hour would make them feel more included than just the ceremony.) But for the reception/dinner it would only be our immediate family and grandparents. I think our families would understand that we are trying to keep costs down, but I'm not sure what to do about wording invitations. I want to be clear that extended family will not be staying for dinner, but I don't want to sound harsh. What do you guys think?
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Re: How do I word these invitations???
There's no way to invite people to your ceremony but not the reception - that's incredibly rude. Only invite the people who you can host for the reception. If you want them all invited, then have a rehearsal dinner the night before with immediate family and grandparents, and then have a much less expensive reception where you can host all the people you want to invite - it's perfectly fine to have a 'punch and cake' reception.
No matter what, be sure to get military clauses put in all your contracts with vendors in case the military throws a wrench in your plans.
[QUOTE]Here's the situation. My fiancé is a Marine. He's currently stationed in Quantico at TBS, he graduates May 9th, and he needs to be in Oklahoma by June 1st. So with our small planning window, and limited money what wetried to do is have some aspects of a big wedding, but ultimately, this is not going to be a blow out that costs tens of thousands. I wanted to invite immediate and extended family members to the ceremony and to a cocktail hour. (I figured inviting them to the cocktail hour would make them feel more included than just the ceremony.) But for the reception/dinner it would only be our immediate family and grandparents. I think our families would understand that we are trying to keep costs down, but I'm not sure what to do about wording invitations. I want to be clear that extended family will not be staying for dinner, but I don't want to sound harsh. What do you guys think?
Posted by phantomsfallen[/QUOTE]
JIC
There is really no nice way to word what you suggested without sounding harsh, so I'd try to accomodate everyone.
Also, congrats and welcome!
[QUOTE]Here's the situation. My fiancé is a Marine. He's currently stationed in Quantico at TBS, he graduates May 9th, and he needs to be in Oklahoma by June 1st. So with our small planning window, and limited money what wetried to do is have some aspects of a big wedding, but ultimately, this is not going to be a blow out that costs tens of thousands. I wanted to invite immediate and extended family members to the ceremony and to a cocktail hour. (I figured inviting them to the cocktail hour would make them feel more included than just the ceremony.) But for the reception/dinner it would only be our immediate family and grandparents. I think our families would understand that we are trying to keep costs down, but I'm not sure what to do about wording invitations. <strong> I want to be clear that extended family will not be staying for dinner, but I don't want to sound harsh.</strong> What do you guys think?
Posted by phantomsfallen[/QUOTE]
There is no way you can say that without sounding rude. It's a rude thing to do, period. Scale down to what you can afford with all of your guests, or just invite who you want there for the whole thing, but don't do what you're planning to do unless you want a ton of drama.
[QUOTE]My fianc just graduated from TBS in January. He is now in NC and we are planning our wedding for labor day weekend. As far as scheduling wise I would have him talk to his CO for his platoon. The graduation date is set in stone. Since his graduation is on a Wednesday then I would recommend just getting married that weekend or the weekend before his graduation since all his TBS friends are still in town. His orders could always change when he has to report to Oklahoma. Hope it all works out
Posted by jennagluck[/QUOTE]
Nothing is ever set in stone with the military. It's like the old saying - the only sure things in live are death and taxes. That's 100% true for the military. While that platoon will be graduating on a set day, there's no way to know for sure he won't wash out or get hurt and have to start over. Sometimes they wash out earlier and pick up with another group before the scheduled end of their original TBS platoon, meaning he'd still be at training.
Just be sure to always get military clause with all your contracts whenever one of the two people getting married is in the military - it will give you peace of mind in case things do change.