If only the people I already invited to a destination wedding are invited to bridal luncheon/tea , would that be okay even if some of the people invited to the bridal luncheon have already declined the invitation to the destinaton wedding?
Am I correct that with the bridal luncheon no gifts from guests are expected? Is the point just to celebrate the upcoming wedding with the bridal party (if any) and female relatives?
If I didn't want people to feel obligated to bring gifts but still wanted some type of pre-wedding party, would the bridal luncheon be the best way to go?
Re: destination wedding and bridal luncheon
You're totally fine to invite them even if they've declined the wedding invite - just as long as they were actually invited to the wedding.
As for the gifts, I would just wonder what is typical for your circle of friends and family? Whether they've had the label of bridal luncheon or shower, in our area, it's a shower with presents. So if I were invited, I would assume that I should be bringing a gift.
Since I am not having a wedding bridal party, I was going to host the ladies would have been in my wedding party to a brunch type event and given them all a small gift as a way to celebrate the upcoming wedding and all that these ladies have meant for me. I know one person in particular that would want to host but I feel really bad making people spend more money. My family wouldn't even know to offer to host so I don't see them asking to host.