My fiance and I are eloping. We would like to throw a party when we get back-how long should we wait after?

Question

We thought of sending out invites when we were away, saying "by the time you get this, we will be married. Please join us on BLANK date for a cocktail party to celebrate". We will be eloping just the two of us. How long should it be after we get back? I want people to have enough time to RSVP, etc. but don't want to wait too long (so that it's not 'special' anymore?). Also - if we have a party close to Christmas, how close is too close, without putting a strain on people's holiday schedules and budgets??? Thanks ;)

Answer 1

The first or second week of Dec should be fine. and give one week 5-7 days for mail time.  each direction if you are going out of state.  Total if you're mailing in town.   After picking your date back up to how long YOU will need to count and give any notice to the establishment in which you are planning the celebration.  Usually if there are more than 10 even a casual dinning place need notice to set up for that size crowd. Since I don't know how many you are suggesting I don't know exactly what to say about timing.  Good Luck and congratulations!

Answer 2

Have it within a month, and the latest would be the first week of December.

Remember to put on your reception invitations "No gifts, please", since your guests were not at the ceremony.

However, since you are eloping, going away in secret to get married, it's going to be hard to pull off planning ahead of time so no one has a hint that you two are planning to get married!

Good luck!

Answer 3

depending how far the invites have to travel it may take a week or so before your fiiends and family get them. and you want to give them time to prepare. are you going on a honeymoon right after? how long will you be staying? if you dso travel send the invites the day you elope

Answer 4

Common politeness is to send invites to any large party 4-6 weeks in advance. So if you want to send the invitations right before you take off for your wedding, plan your cocktail party for a month or so after your return.

As for Christmas, I would suggest blocking off the week before, the week of, and the week after - this is when many people are either scurrying to finish holiday things, celebrating, or finally relaxing when they're done. I suppose it really depends on how many people you plan to invite, how close they live, etc.

Answer 5

i say pre do the cards now and  say something nice like  we decided to elope and wanted you to know we are hitched please join us at our home for some cocktails   we will show you our wedding photos.   do not do a lavish type thing due to people might think its a lure for gifts  please do not insert a gift registry or anything if someone gives you a gift great  and be prepared for some people to be hurt esp married friends that you have attend there day they might think of it as a back handed slap that you were impotent to them to have at there special day  and they were not that important to be at your special day

Answer 6

I would say have it soon after, but not too close to the holidays. We are in that predicament too. We are getting married in Ireland, small ceremony, and we want to have a larger reception/party when we return.

When are you and your fiance eloping?

I would say try to have it at least 2 weeks before the Christmas holiday, that way people will still have time for their holiday vacations if they have planned. I don't think it would necessarily put a strain on their schedules. If you have people travelling from out of state, it may be a burden on their budgets... Have you tried talking to your potential guests to see what they think?

You could also wait a little longer to have the reception until after the 1st of the year - like celebrate your 6-month anniversary or even wait 1 year... that could still be special. Your theme could be something like "help us celebrate our first year of marriage" you guys could even play a video or slide show of pictures from your wedding to help bring the "memories" back or give visuals to those who weren't there!

It's all up to you. I don't think there's anything that says you have to wait a certain time... do what will work best for you.

Best of luck to you!