I am getting married in November of this year. We are having a beach ceremony in Florida and (we are actually from New Jersey) so it’s destination wedding, as some say.

My problem is finding the wording for the invitations. We aren’t having a reception, just a ceremony on the beach. I know not everyone will come but I thought I’d still send out invites so they know they were invited.

My family understands why we aren’t having a reception and just a ceremony. We are beach people. We just purchased our house so its a little hard for us to save for a wedding. So we want something small and Florida seems to be it. After all it is where he proposed. 😛

What are your thoughts on wording?

Donna, Wedding Queen, President; Top Wedding Sites

Destination wedding can be a lot of fun, but when guests have to travel and stay over night, there are more ways to cater to them than just the typical home town ceremony.

I think the reason you’re having trouble wording these invitations is it’s not clear what you’re “inviting” guests to attend. It’s really not polite to invite guests to travel to Florida from NJ to witness your wedding without entertaining them in some manner. (Put yourself in your guests’ place – getting an invitation that basically says, spend money to travel to Florida to see us get married but you’ll only be invited to the ceremony – nothing more. Oh, and bring a gift! 😡 Sorry, but that would be the way I’d receive that “invitation” and we’ve had a few guests post these complaints on this forum so feel free to search for those to see how guests respond). Etiquette obligates wedding guests (ceremony, is the wedding, reception is the party) to bring a gift so that further reinforces the need to offer something in return for your guests. It could be as simple as cake and punch in the mid afternoon or a small brunch in the early morning. Avoid planning the wedding at a meal time to save money.

If you cannot afford to host guests, then head down to Florida, letting the family (close relatives like parents and siblings) know so they can attend if they can.

PS – If there are any bridal attendants you should be paying their hotel expenses.

Lots to consider when hosting a destination wedding!

Darlene Taylor, PBC
TaylorMade Weddings

I suggest sending out wedding announcements instead of wedding invitations. You mentioned that you thought that not everyone would come and you’re probably right. Traveling in November from New Jersey to Florida may not work out for most people as it would involve airfare, or gas for a long drive, as well as extended time off from work. When we’re entering into the holiday season in November, not many people will have extra time or finances to travel a long distance for a wedding. As Donna suggested, inviting guests to your wedding involves taking care of them. It is like inviting them to your home for an event. When you invite people into your home, you provide for them and make them comfortable. You feed them, offer them drinks, and house them if necessary. Same goes for your wedding – especially when guests have to travel to your wedding – you take care of them and entertain them as Donna suggested.

With that in mind, sending out announcements of when and where you got married (possibly with a wedding photo of you and your groom) would seem to fit this scenario better. Your wording can be something like:

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Jane Ann to John Doe on November 12, 2012 at 3:00pm at the Hyatt Resort, Miami Beach, Florida. Etc. Or you can make it less formal – like a holiday card with your photo – and mail them as a couple after you get home. You can word them something like, “We are happy to announce our marriage! Then inside have the details of when and where-or on the back side depending what you get.

Best Wishes!