Christmas eve

Well you do have a choice, it just may not be your original vision and that's okay. You could also wait until another time that he is home that is not the holidays...or you could get married now with immediate family surrounding you, and have a larger vow renewal celebration later on.

Also, most of the 50 people who have told you are coming will likely RSVP no when they realize they have family plans and can't afford to travel to a wedding on Christmas Eve. I would cancel the DJ.

Inviting them is fine as long as you know many will probably decline. Are you okay with a 15 person wedding if it comes to it?

I understand it, but you should probably expect a lot of declines. Your immediate family will probably be able to make it work but anyone beyond that I wouldn't count on. I know that if someone outside of my family were getting married on Christmas Eve we would likely decline.

This is the only time he will b home before he gets stationed and deployed. DJ is paid for.

You asked us what we thought, but you already booked it. So what is your question?

I would still expect a lot of declines. If it were me personally I'd see about having something small and intimate on Christmas eve with just family and have a renewal or celebration at a later date when he's home again. Our Christmas eve plans have been set for almost a year so unless I was being asked by a sibling there is no way I'd be going.

If you're gonna do it regardless, don't worry about feeling bad. Just realize that things may be different than you envisioned, and be okay with that.

Hard truth, You booked on a major holiday before really thinking through the reality of how many people would come. You are probably going to have a LOT of declines, Hopefully you haven't booked a venue what will require a high minimum that you won't reach.

You said he leaves on the second....would moving it to new years eve be a possibility? or just a few days after christmas? Just because things are booked does not mean they cannot be changed.

@Lauren, why can't you do a small intimate, family only wedding if this is the only date available? This sounds like a logistical nightmare, and honestly, unless you are close family, I'm not coming on Christmas Eve.

At least fifty say they're coning today, things change when the date draws closer; emergencies, for example.

It's a holiday. Listen to everyone when they say to expect a lot of declines. It's going to be a much more smaller affair than you envision.

Check your contract and see if you can get the money back from the DJ. Really.

That's a pretty important holiday for a lot of people. You may have a small attendance.

If your families already spend Christmas Eve together they can just spend it together at your wedding. My Christmas Eve is usually 60 people so we would just be in a different location. However, friends may be with families and not be able to make it.

I think it is a lot to ask of people to give up their holiday traditions. I would be a regretfully decline.

If it was my immediate family, I'd go. Otherwise, no. We do Christmas Eve with my family so DH's kids can do Christmas Day with their mom and her family... No way I'd give that up unless you were very special to me.

I agree with others, 200 is a lot of people. Because its the holidays, I'd invite immediate family and your closest friends. Just be happy he's home for the holidays! As an Air Force veteran, I can say, that doesn't always happen!! I can almost guarantee that there will be holidays/birthdays/maybe even births that he may not be there for.

I totally get that having a military husband makes things harder, and christmas eve will always be special for you for it, I just don't like the idea of people being disappointed because when the invitations go out some of those informal acceptance might turn into declines. If you do it earlier in the day though more people might be able to come. I know for me its the evening that we find important. But if you are fine with only 50/150 and wont let it ruin your excitement then that is what is really important.

I'm Jewish and I wouldn't even go. That is sacred time off to spend relaxing with loved ones.

Christmas Eve this year? I would have sent Save the Dates a year in advance. People like to spend holidays with family. Maybe your closest relatives will attend, and maybe closest friends, but expect a lot of declines.