2016 and beyond wedding moms and dads (Part 2)

That looks really lovely!

I’ve been to that place! It is a great choice. The wine list
 yum. :slight_smile:

That looks lovely. My kids were married in a brewery in Chicago.

I hosted an engagement party for my son and future DIL (&her parents) in my house months before the wedding. All the parents of son’s close friends were invited, as well as local family. This way, no one felt obligated to fly to the wedding. Nor was anyone insulted to not be invited to the wedding. And we requested No gifts.

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Any Holiday nuptials planned? Anticipated engagements?

More feedback from recent weddings, or ‘wish we had done X,Y,Z’.

I have a good friend and my DiL helping me hunt down a dress – FDiL “hopes” the moms will find full length ones. I am not a clothes person, at all.

They found a photographer/videographer and have a tasting w the caterer after Thanksgiving. Looking for a dj, I have booked the rehearsal and brunch food people. Phew! and all the wedding party have accepted – we have two best men, a maid and matron of honor.

When should save-the-dates go out?

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If most people are local you can probably send them out 4-6 months in advance. Since 75% of D1 and SIL’s wedding had to travel across the country they sent out save the dates almost a year in advance to give people plenty of warning and time to save up if they wanted to attend.

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I would send save the dates as early as possible, once you know the date, which I’m assuming you do. When is it?

It’s July, which is why I am getting a bit antsy. They plan to send save the dates after the new year, which makes sense (they don’t want to compete with the holidays for attention)

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We sent our save the dates a little before six months prior but that’s because our kid got married on a holiday weekend.

I think 6 months is pretty standard except for things like destination weddings. Some of those are a year in advance!

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Remember one thing about long dresses. If they are full length they will often hide your shoes. Meaning you can wear VERY comfortable shoes without it looking odd. Don’t think a long dress is harder to wear. It’s actually much easier!

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And to add what @maya54 said, no leg beautification is needed! :laughing:

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Totally agree about shoes and legs. I wore long all three times.

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I would probably do the same, because you don’t want the ‘save the date’ getting forgotten with all the Holiday rush. However, people who would travel from afar, or who you know plan ahead - you can give them a ‘head’s up’ – and also make it known to people you may see or have holiday function with.

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Some of the decision about sending “Save the date” cards my revolve around the number of people who would need to make travel arrangements (vs local/daytrip attendees).

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My D sent theirs out about 7 months in advance. They are getting married in Napa so non-Californians (mostly East Coasters) have some travel, but another reason for an earlier STD was to get an idea of “yield” for when they send out actual invites where they might expand their list.

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DIL and S informed their friends and family by ena as soon as they chose venue & date (about 1 year ahead). Lots of folks had to juggle other plans to attend. Formal save the dates were sent out after holidays for Oct wedding—maybe around Feb? I forget.

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pretty sure FdiL said they were only doing email save the dates, since about half of the guests are family (and already know about the wedding and the date)

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A friend’s son and DIL ‘exchanged vows in a private ceremony’ in an away destination the end of Sept. Early Oct we received an invitation - the MOG is throwing a ‘celebration of marriage’ party Dec 27th, and that invite gave the info about the private ceremony at Rocky Mountain National Park CO.

We can’t make the party, but we are doing similar gift that we give all newly weds, but usually we also give a fair amount of cash. We are skipping the cash, and are pretty sure they will enjoy the gifts.

My son and DIL sent theirs out 7 months before. But I already told all my friends when I knew the date. People plan vacations, or other things a year in advance.

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I just checked and D2 sent hers 10 months before. Possibly partly because another cousin is getting married next summer too. Mom had two granddaughters get married last summer as well, and we almost ended up having them a week apart.

DD picks up her dress on Tuesday! Hoping alterations won’t be major.

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