Wedding invitation wording

I'm sorry, but all of this sounds extremely rude.

Based on what you've written it sounds like you are planning on having a destination wedding which as fun as you think this might be tends to put a lot of extra stress on guests because destination weddings include extra costs that a local event wouldn't. Therefore, you should 100% have a reception as you are expecting your guests to travel to Disney. In fact, it would be extremely rude/inconsiderate of you not to have a reception. If you don't want a lavish reception, plan the reception for a non-meal time and just serve cake and punch. While as a guest I would probably be extremely annoyed I was only being served cake and punch when I traveled that far and spent a bunch of money it's better than nothing. As for wording, it is perfectly acceptable not to pay for guests travel or accommodations, but you don't need to be so blunt and came out and say that. I think most guests know when they are invited to a wedding that travel/accommodations aren't covered so I would just send a normal invitation. There is no need to include special wording.

I agree with Veronica. There is no need to specify you will not be paying for others’ tickets to Disney. However, if this is a destination wedding (meaning your guests will be traveling for it), you will definitely need to host a reception for them. If it is local for everyone, then a cake & punch reception at a non-meal time would be acceptable.

Whether this is a destination wedding or not, Disney or a private club, it would be rude to essentially require an admission fee of guests in order to gain entrance. Regardless of location, some kind of reception is appropriate.


If you want Disney without covering your guest’s admission fees, elope.

View Quoted Comment I agree with all of this. When asking people to travel and pay admission at Disney to witness your wedding, you should host a reception. You are not obligated to cover guest travel expenses, and you should not include a statement on your invitations saying that guests are responsible for their own travel costs, but you should host a reception as a thank you to your guests for traveling and attending your wedding.

I would consider eloping and not inviting anyone to come and watch the ceremony. The reception is to thank your guests for coming to support your wedding, and as such should be completely hosted by you.

As an extreme Disney enthusiast, there is no way I would get married IN Disney. A one day park pass is over $100.00 .... and guests wouldn't be able to DO any of the fun Disney attractions that day because, hey, your wedding. To make them pay, and not USE the pass, and then not thanking them with some sort of reception is beyond rude. If getting married in Disney is crucial, elope.

Yvonne,

I don't know much about Disney, went once in my teen years, it was fun but I am not one of the Disney enthusiasts that are out there. All I know is that yes, it is expensive. For adults and children alike. (If kids are in my future, I'd take them to other countries instead, LOL!) Anyways, I am also having a destination wedding. Although it is not Disney, it is located approx. two hours away from where majority of guests live. Fiancé and I had the "guilt" of falling in love with the place which is two hours away, but stayed true to us over it, understanding that there may be many that cannot afford or even find the time to attend. Though we are so hopeful that with the advance notice we gave to all (which I hope you have done and should be done for ANY destination weddings) most have planned it all in advance.

I believe that MOST people understand and know that you are not going to pay for their travel expenses. If they don't, let's just hope they are avid readers, interested in things they are unaware about and know about GOOGLE, or for that matter, are comfortable enough to ask questions to others about things they are in the dark about. If what you meant in your question to us is: "How do I word to others I will not pay for their TRAVEL costs?" You certainly do NOT have to word that AT ALL. Like I said, most people know that with a destination wedding, they are responsible for that. UNLESS otherwise specified in person that you are providing ALL COSTS for EVERYTHING (Including airplane tickets and the hotel stays) This is typically not the case for us "Normal" people, lol.

IF your question for us is in reference to what I have seen mentioned in other comments about a "Pass" that others are required to buy to even GET IN and SEE your ceremony, I am of no help. Some may need information on that, as I would- knowing nothing about passes and such for Disney -other than that of the expense of it- The only advice I could give you despite my unknowing is to personally reach out to everyone and let them know that. NOT in an invitation.

As for having no reception.... as I mentioned, I too am having a destination wedding of sorts. Understanding the travel costs involved, my fiance went above and beyond to make things extra special for all of our guests. We DO have a budget and we Are working hard to stay within it, but majority of MANY things have been for OUR GUESTS. Extra special welcome bags, extra gifts, a welcome dinner we are paying for as an extra meal (And for us and all for the memories) the eve before our wedding. Special things they get there too. Extra things to do at our reception as their take home favors as well as fun things for them to do. Extra favors as well. Free breakfast vouchers. Extra "to-go" snacks and desserts. All kinds of things, though small but all meaningful. And this doesn't even include... the reception. The reception surely is for you and your fiancé, but it is also a Thank you gift providing your guests that have come to witness your ceremony a heartfelt time, a cheerful time to celebrate those vows and their support of you. My suggestion to you and all is: If you choose a destination wedding, consider other's just as much as you consider you and your fiancé. Understanding that some if not many may not be able to be present considering the travel time and costs. Understanding that if you so choose to have a destination wedding, you MUST provide SOME SORT of dinner or celebration after your ceremony. It could be the next day even! But you MUST. Not should, MUST. If you feel otherwise, do as other's have said and ELOPE. Then consider, if you wish to feel the love of others in your own sheer bliss over it an "At home" reception for them to attend.

Many things change with the times, but certain things... remain the same. Respectfully.

Good luck with your decision!

Wait, are you having a Disney wedding in one of the parks? If you are, there’s no ticket necessary because the events take place before or after park close. The only thing you have to pay for is if you’re going to take the guests on a ride or getting a private viewing area for a fireworks show (both of which only occur at a reception, not the ceremony), and those per person costs are WAY lower than a park ticket because it’s not like your guests are roaming around the park all day. Really you need to explain more what’s going on because your question makes no sense/it doesn’t sound like you’re actually planning a Disney wedding.

So you want to get married at Disney, that’s cool. But you are making guests pay their entrance fee which tickets are stupid expensive and you’re not feeding them??? So now they have to pay for overpriced crappy theme park food?? And you’re probably expecting them to give you money or a gift too?

Some have suggested calling it a “no host” event to indicate that guests are expected to pay their own way.

Without aggression, I’ll try and answer this opposite of how you’ve previously been responded to. It is important to keep all of the previous feedback in mind as many of your proposed guest could easily be rubbed just as wrong as the previous repliers were. For this reason, I would recommend having a personal convo with each person you think would truly feel comfortable commuting to a heavily weighted invitation such as this. If after feeling their temperature out, they seem eager to participate in supporting you with their presence despite it being a bulkier financial commitment, then send the invite to those accordingly. Wording at that point will not be as crucial. Hope this helps! But I really do agree that this is a BIG ask- so definitely don’t recommend asking it of them in a quick generically worded card.

View Quoted Comment

It's OP's responsibility to do the right thing from the outset, not her prospective guests place to tell her that the plan is inappropriate. Well, maybe the parents can try if they have that kind of relationship. Loved ones will often incur unreasonable expense and sacrifice to attend because the wedding will only happen once. They know it means a lot to the couple and of course it's important to them to be there as well. I think it's unfair to put the burden on them and likely not too helpful, either.