[Nofliesonme]

Ok so we are running off and getting married at Easter. When home we will send out announcement cards to tell everyone the news. We are doing a sand ceremony and all our close friends will receive a small sand jar etc.

We would still like everyone to celebrate who doesn't come and was thinking of sending out a invite

" it's never to late to celebrate, come and join us on this date"

John & Jane Doe

Would like it if you could join us at....... To celebrate ?.... What do I write, nextly we were hoping to maybe ask for each person to contribute $30 towards meals and we will cover drinks, kids and excess..... How would you word it? And all people have 2-5 kids per family, and they could choose as they wish off the menu... We have been together 10 years so don't want gifts. Any help appreciated.

This post has been edited by thunda: 18/02/2013, 04:22 PM

[Saecularis Angel...]

I think if you can't afford meals for everybody, just do something like an elaborate afternoon tea, but don't ask people to pay, there's no good way to do that.

[Nofliesonme]

It's only a thought, not certain if we should

[globalgirl]

I agree with PP. It's a lovely idea to throw yourselves a little celebration party and I'm sure all your family and friends would love to be included so they can join in the happy occasion....but asking for people to contribute doesn't sit right with me.

I think if you'd like to organise something, then do it within your means and have something more low-key that you can afford yourself (without asking for contributions)

[MummySmiles]

I would be happy to pay for my meal if I was going to a wedding and did not have to pay for a present.

Could you word it similar to the wishing well Poems, about having everything, not needing presents, but to help cover costs could people(adults) pay their own meal?

[Dinosaurus]

When our friends eloped they had a 'celebration' at a local watering hole where they supplied a couple of platters of food and everyone bought their own drinks as they went. A few people bought presents, most did not.

I think this is a good way to celebrate eloping - either supply a bbq or something simple or don't supply anything at all and word it we will be having a few drinks at X place if you can drop in and say hi we'd love to see you"

Or something.

My friend loved having a chance to wear her wedding dress twice

I agree with Ange - there is no good way to ask for people to pay UNLESS you don't tell them you are married, ask them to come and pay whatever for dinner and announce it there.

That way no gifts, no confusion as to gifts, everyone finds out at the same time.

?

[~kitteh.hoardere...]

I'd either do a bbq at home, or an afternoon tea or something as Angie suggested.

TBH if good friends of mine ran off and got married and I wasn't invited to be there, but then they wanted me to pay to go to a party for them, I'd be a bit peeved.

Personally, I'd plan a party I could afford rather than asking people and expect them to pay.

[haras1972]

The most I could ever ask people to contribute to a non-wedding wedding celebration would be to bring a plate, if I was having a big party at home - and that would be a stretch!

Does it have to be in a restaurant? Is there not a backyard, or a park etc, where you could just have a picnic or BBQ, that would be a lot cheaper for you to pay for all the food etc.

[Nofliesonme]

Ok would you go to a restaurant then ( we live in small town) like the RSL ( our options are limited, other choice was going to the city where they live ) that has $10 meals and we had arranged to have a choice of 3 dishes????? or is that too povo too.? The meals are great and very large etc..... I'd be happy to cover that plus drinks etc

Otherwise I will look at backyard. I was just trying to get away from clean up etc.

This post has been edited by thunda: 18/02/2013, 04:38 PM

[Procrastinator50...]

I'd either do a bbq at home, or an afternoon tea or something as Angie suggested.

TBH if good friends of mine ran off and got married and I wasn't invited to be there, but then they wanted me to pay to go to a party for them, I'd be a bit peeved.

Personally, I'd plan a party I could afford rather than asking people and expect them to pay.

Ditto to all of the above!

I'd plan something you can afford to pay for yourselves. If you have an afternoon tea, there may be people in your circles (aunties, friends) who'd love to do something to help and who you can assign to make slices, scones, etc to help with the catering costs.