Today I’d like to ask you a question, and that question is: How much do your wedding guests really need to know about your upcoming wedding? I’d suggest that at the very least they need to know when it’s taking place and where it’s taking place, and roughly how formal it will be so they know whether to wear bluejean overalls or a ball gown. There are others, however, for whom “need to know basis” is a phrase for other people. They are the brides- and grooms-to-be who send out weddung newsletters. I’m not talking about a one-time special edition mini magazine for the bridesmaids and moms, but rather a full-blown publishing production that appears in the mailboxes of all wedding guests.
Inside the pages of this still less-than-common publication, wedding guests can read about how the happy couple met, how they chose their wedding venue, why they felt it was important to choose locally-grown flowers, their engagement story, short bios (with headshots) of all the VIPs, a description of the wedding reception menu, and so on, all laid out professionally with pictures and captions and cutesy little swirlies.
I tell you truly, the very idea of the wedding newsletter brings out the curmudgeon in me and I am not even that cranky most of the time. Weddings are fun and I love being invited to them, but I don’t want to have to read a study guide to prepare. And before you say anything, of course I know that I don’t have to read the couple’s wedding newsletter, but as grumpy as receiving it makes me feel, I just can’t toss something into which two people put so much effort. Maybe it’s the writer in me – who knows. I think I’m in the hate camp for this one.
What say you? Wedding newsletters… sentimental keepsake or something akin to the dreaded “Christmas letter”?
I’m in the Hate Camp. Even though everything about their wedding is special, speaking as a bride, those closest to us already know the stories and the bridal party and I can’t imagine anyone else really caring about those details. My guess is they all just want to come to celebrate with us!
People either already know all this information, or they don’t care. If you must, post it on the website, so those that want can read it, but it’s not so in-your-face to those that don’t.
Sadly, must Hate. Although like you I do feel chagrined at spoiling their happy idea.
Ewww- HATE. It reads just another chapter in the “It’s all about me” saga, entitled “It’s all about us.” The story about how you chose your wedding venue is much more meaninful in person on site, after a few glasses of prosecco, anyhow.
And this is from a fan of the Holiday Letter, at least those that are reasonably short, and filled with news that isn’t an attempt at blatant one-upmanship. I’d much rather catch up with faraway friends and casual acquaintances on a once-per-year basis, even if it’s not all handwritten just for me, than hear every time they update their Facebook page or decide to Tweet about a new drink at Starbucks.
I think this is one of those things that sounds like a good idea but in reality the only ones that will really enjoy it is the couple themselves.
You know the great thing about blogs is, if you click on them, skim, and comment, people think you read the whole thing. In order to convince them you read this whole thing, you’d have to actually do so. And, honestly, nobody cares that much about your wedding except the caterer, and he only wants to be sure he gets paid.
Highly creative but no grandeur. A smart invite is always a better option rather than going for something like this. To me, it also give a very informal feeling.