Dear Neighbor, We are having a back yard wedding!!!

I had a neighbor do this....worst thing ever, only because there was a high number of drunks roaming around afterwards....causing lots of noise and were just plain rude. The cops were called and the newleyweds were sited, I was not the one to call the cops but all the neighbors were pretty pissed off....and keep in mind you may want the last song to be at 12:30, but check with your local police department on times music has to be lower...

You might ask them to refrain from cutting grass or using a chain saw after 7:00.

How well do you know these neighbors? I do think it would come across better if you talk to them directly.

One thing I would keep in mind many places have noise ordinances so you want to make sure aren't violating that by playing the music until 12:30am. I personally wouldn't mind but not everyone will be so understanding.

I would say something more along the lines of..

" There will be music playing and a lot of celebrants. I would love to invite you all to come and celebrate with us at 9:30 pm.

For those of you that arent able to attend, I promise that this marriage wont be as loud as the reception."

Make it seem more fun and invite them rather than saying for their inconvience. Otherwise you are already setting yourself up to have people complain.

Hope this helps.

I like that @Andrea K.

@Carrie W. We don't know them to well that's why we plan on going door to door to talk face to face. I just want a letter to give them for reference. And we don't have a noise ordinance where we live.

@Nacny T good idea.

Oh another question when should we do this a week before or sooner?

Hey date twin. I think it should be sooner than later.

I like the revision! That way they know whats going on and that you want them there. Also has a fuuner twist to it.

Just wondering how many people will you be having at your wedding?

@ Kimberly L. - FH thinks a month before.

@Andrea K. -Yes it dose sound funner!

@Labake O. - 100 invited only expect 50 to 80.

I think the revision is great! Do you need to also add something about parking and that their may be cars up and down the street?

I too like the second version better. You know your crowd. If we had our wedding in our backyard our guests would be respectful of our neighbors.

Plus, the majority of our guest have clearances that would be jeopardized if they got into legal trouble.

@ Maggie B.- we are parking in the yard so that shouldn't be an issue.

A lot of our neighbors have back yard party's and we have had some too, so I'm not to worried about any issues, but I still want to be nice so they will do the same, and maybe we will make some new friends.

It's a great idea to go and talk to the neighbors and let them know what is going to happen and to let them know they are welcome to come to the party. However, I would also contact local law enforcement. Let them know that you will be having a wedding reception at a private home, and what you might be able to do to lessen any potential complaints. We do not have a "noise ordinance" either, but anyone can call in a disturbance of the peace at virtually anytime of the day or night, if they feel their peace is being disturbed. Best to cover all your bases.

I would also limit alcohol after the time the neighbors are allowed/expected into the party. If you do not know your neighbors well, and you have alcohol available, that could potentially be a recipe for disaster if you have neighbors who get obnoxiously drunk!

Ah you're generous! lol our noise ordinance is 10 pm, so i wont have a DJ at that point, the county the wedding is in is...DUMB... so my DJ leaves at 9. I am placing a note on mailboxes (not IN) just saying " Dear Neighbors, There will be a Private Reception on Oct 20th. We wanted to let you know that cars might be parked in front of your house (not blocking driveways) for a few hours starting around 5pm. The DJ will leave at 930pm. We appreciate your understanding! Thank you kindly, Your neighbors."

Something like that!

We're close with our neighbors (they'll be invited to the wedding) and when I had a surprise birthday party for FI's 30th I invited them all as well. Everyone came and had a blast and even got him gifts. Anyway, I think as you keep to your town's ordinances (though if you're friends with your neighbors it might not necessarily be a problem unless you're so loud neighbors a block away can hear you and they complain) you'll be fine. Most people are understanding for these types of things as long as it's not an every weekend thing which a wedding wouldn't be

At a recent backyard wedding we performed, the bride and groom sent movie theater passes to those neighbors who declined the invitation, as an incentive to get them out of the house so they wouldn't call the cops.

Perhaps you could try something similar?

@MCDJCarlos- Cool Idea!