sort of eloping - invitations??

[DNumme]

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I have decided to have a "destination elope". Rather than getting ourselves all worked up over a huge wedding, we plan on eloping in Mexico - yet telling our friends and family, and kind of leaving it as an open invitation. Anyone that feels like splurging on a vacay is certainly more than welcome. If they don't come/can't come, no big deal! After our trip, we'd like to have a belated 'home reception' for those that opted not to join us.

My question is, how do I word the invitations to the home reception? I need a nice way of saying "We're getting married in another country - Come if you want to - if not, we'll still have a party you can attend when we get back!" My way of wording it just doesn't seem proper. ;)

Any suggestions?

-Devon

[babes777]

My fiance and I feel the same way and are doing the same thing. We are getting married in Mexico December 13th and this is how we handeled it. We are sending out formal invites to everyone saying:

1. Mr & Mrs (your last name)
request the honor of your presence at the marriage of thier daughter (your first and middle name) to His full name on Wednesday, the thirteenth of December at six o'clock in the evening at the (Name of your hotel) Cancun, Mexico. Reception immediately to follow.

2. Then we sent a response card saying: The favour of a reply is requested by November 10th 2006 to Donna @ Northtown Travel 716-838-6755.
This way our Agent will give us a head count so I can get my gift/welcome bags. {Also if you chose an All-Inclusive property as we did, if your guests make arragnement on their own, you may have to pay to have your guests to be allowed on site at your hotel the day of your wedding. So.... we just refered them right to our travel agent and insturcted her how we wanted it handeled.}

3. Then: another response card and envelope to be sent out with the invitation saying: Local reception hosted by Mr and Mrs (your last name) and where and when. Kindly respond by December 8th 2006
Number of persons _____________. I checked all over for ettiquete and this was ok. If you and your fiance are hosting your own party, I would say: Local reception hosted by (your names) to celebrate with everyone who cannot attend ......hope this helps. Good Luck! :D ~Marie

[DNumme]

I couldn't think of a better way to have worded it. Thanks so much! That was a huge help!

-Devon