This is my first advise post so be kind...
FI and I have been together 5+ years and have talked about getting married for at least 2. He finally asked Dad (YAY) and we are engaged! So I went to my first bridal show and won a free engagement party. It is from a well reviewed hall and is a pretty decent package: free hall, hot and cold apps, white linens, dj, etc for up to 125 people. It includes a cash bar and balloon decor (yuck and yuck) but what do you want for free. They will even send out invites.
So here's the problems. The hall is at least an hour and a half away from 90% of who would be invited. At $3+ dollars a gallon I hate to drag all my loved ones to the other side of town for apps! I don't know who of my side will show. Out of my 44 family members I assume around 30 might come. Everyone who knows us has obviously met us both, and his in-town family consists of his parents and sister. It would be nice to introduce them to my side, but it might be a little much all at once. I DO NOT want presents (even for the shower i know will come) we both had homes that we combined, and our garage is FULL of stuff we don't have room for. I didn't want a engagement party for that exact reason. It's bad enough people will spend money on us for the shower. No one will be surprised we're engaged, it's been 5 friggen' years!
But it seems like a waste not to have it. It is free, and will probably be fun (if anyone shows up...) I know I can't throw my own party, so there is that. Do I put on the invite "party given by hall?" I know it's faux pas to put no gifts. but seriously, I feel like if you drive a hour and a half for me, I feel it's a gift. Ok that got out of hand long. If you made it this far, thanks for reading my rant. I got rear ended on my drive home from the wedding show and this is my main drama? Weddings do make you nuts lol!!