Would you want to be invited to this wedding reception?

[Big Cuddly Bear]

My wife and I were invited to a wedding reception. The groom to be is my wife's God son. He is a heckuva nice guy, and his wife is very nice as well.... BUT they are very much into the "hippie" lifestyyle.

This was the ORIGINAL plan for the reception, before it all changed to become a more "normal" reception. I like the guy, but I had no interest in going.... here ya go:

1. Almost everybody would have had to drive 300 miles to get there, as the reception was planned to be held on a communal farm in Kentucky. Most everybody who would have attended either lives in Baltimore, or SE PA.

2. The Bride is vegan. Dinner was 100% vegetarian - not vegan. They were going to have milk for the kids.

3. The actual reception was supposed to be in a barn. Our "seats" were to be bales of hay.

4. No band, no DJ, but a local guy playing acoustic guitar for about 3 hours as entertainment.

5. A big bonfire to end the night, where we would all sit around, swap stories, and make S'more's.

Now, as I said, this all has changed, but the above was what the original invitation indicated was planned for all guests.

 

[msmayor]

I don't accept or decline a wedding invitation because of where a reception is held, or what is being served...I base my decision on who is inviting me. If only an acquaintance, then I wouldn't have a problem declining...but a friend or family? It makes no difference how they choose to celebrate - its their day.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I don't accept or decline a wedding invitation because of where a reception is held, or what is being served...I base my decision on who is inviting me. If only an acquaintance, then I wouldn't have a problem declining...but a friend or family? It makes no difference how they choose to celebrate - its their day.

So, you would happily make a 600 mile round trip?... to go to a place that is inconvenient for almost every single invited guest?

 

[phorsenuf]

My wife and I were invited to a wedding reception. The groom to be is my wife's God son. He is a heckuva nice guy, and his wife is very nice as well.... BUT they are very much into the "hippie" lifestyyle.

This was the ORIGINAL plan for the reception, before it all changed to become a more "normal" reception. I like the guy, but I had no interest in going.... here ya go:

1. Almost everybody would have had to drive 300 miles to get there, as the reception was planned to be held on a communal farm in Kentucky. Most everybody who would have attended either lives in Baltimore, or SE PA.

2. The Bride is vegan. Dinner was 100% vegetarian - not vegan. They were going to have milk for the kids.

3. The actual reception was supposed to be in a barn. Our "seats" were to be bales of hay.

4. No band, no DJ, but a local guy playing acoustic guitar for about 3 hours as entertainment.

5. A big bonfire to end the night, where we would all sit around, swap stories, and make S'more's.

Now, as I said, this all has changed, but the above was what the original invitation indicated was planned for all guests.

I don't see a problem with it. Sounds kinda fun actually.
What's the issue?

 

[LuvLDM]

Yes, I would go.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I don't see a problem with it. Sounds kinda fun actually.
What's the issue?

Well, apparently, the issue was EVERYTHING, because they moved the reception to a hotel in Belair, MD. For my wife and I, I can only say that this is not up our alley, or our cup of tea. Plus, Having to make a 600 mile round trip, where we have to stay overnight for 2 nights, isn't what we would want.

Anyway, the reception was moved because so many people declined. So, it isn't just my wife and I who felt this way.

EDIT.. BTW, we were going to go, but I am sure glad it changed.

 

[Meriweather]

the distance would decide it for me.....the rest is just stuff

 

[phorsenuf]

Well, apparently, the issue was EVERYTHING, because they moved the reception to a hotel in Belair, MD. For my wife and I, I can only say that this is not up our alley, or our cup of tea. Plus, Having to make a 600 mile round trip, where we have to stay overnight for 2 nights, isn't what we would want.

Anyway, the reception was moved because so many people declined. So, it isn't just my wife and I who felt this way.

That's too bad the bride and groom had to change their wedding because other didn't like their choices.

 

[Philagoofy]

Actually, some of it sounds like fun but I wouldn't drive 600 miles rt to any wedding, including my own. But then, I'm just not that into weddings. I'm such a fuddy dud.

Is the new & improved reception going to be held closer to where most everyone lives? Is Kentucky the home of the bride & groom?

 

[krcit]

I probably wouldn't go that far but otherwise it sounds kind of fun.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Actually, some of it sounds like fun but I wouldn't drive 600 miles rt to any wedding, including my own. But then, I'm just not that into weddings. I'm such a fuddy dud.

Is the new & improved reception going to be held closer to where most everyone lives? Is Kentucky the home of the bride & groom?

The new location is no more than 100 miles for all attendees, and about 25 miles for most. No, nobody lives in Kentucky. The groom to be is friends with a guy who owns a farm, and they came up with the idea to hold this reception on the farm.

 

[Philagoofy]

That's too bad the bride and groom had to change their wedding because other didn't like their choices.

Actually, they didn't have to change it, they could have kept it the way they wanted and saved a lot of money on the number of haystacks they would have needed since so many weren't going to show up. Just because it's the way the B&G want it, doesn't mean everyone who was invited has to like it and go. There may be many valid reasons that people can't attend.

 

[MIGrandma]

The only things that would have bothered me, but not kept me from not going if he was my or DH's Godson, are the 300 mile drive and the vegetarian food. Even if the bride is vegan I think they should provide other choices for their guests. But as for the rest, since I live on a farm a reception in a barn would not bother me in the least. Nor would the guitar player or the bonfire. Actually, it sounds casual, relaxed and fun to me.

 

[dodukes]

I hate to be invited to weddings but this one acutally sounds kinda fun!!!

 

[phorsenuf]

Actually, they didn't have to change it, they could have kept it the way they wanted and saved a lot of money on the number of haystacks they would have needed since so many weren't going to show up. Just because it's the way the B&G want it, doesn't mean everyone who was invited has to like it and go. There may be many valid reasons that people can't attend.

My guess is there were a bunch of complaints and they felt forced to change it for the family.
You can almost hear the disdain in the OP's post.

Just MHO of course.

 

[The Orchid]

I would be MORE likely to attend a wedding that was different, even if it meant traveling. I find most traditional weddings to be utterly boring.

 

[C.Ann]

My wife and I were invited to a wedding reception. The groom to be is my wife's God son. He is a heckuva nice guy, and his wife is very nice as well.... BUT they are very much into the "hippie" lifestyyle.

This was the ORIGINAL plan for the reception, before it all changed to become a more "normal" reception. I like the guy, but I had no interest in going.... here ya go:

1. Almost everybody would have had to drive 300 miles to get there, as the reception was planned to be held on a communal farm in Kentucky. Most everybody who would have attended either lives in Baltimore, or SE PA.

2. The Bride is vegan. Dinner was 100% vegetarian - not vegan. They were going to have milk for the kids.

3. The actual reception was supposed to be in a barn. Our "seats" were to be bales of hay.

4. No band, no DJ, but a local guy playing acoustic guitar for about 3 hours as entertainment.

5. A big bonfire to end the night, where we would all sit around, swap stories, and make S'more's.

Now, as I said, this all has changed, but the above was what the original invitation indicated was planned for all guests.

This is very similar to the wedding and reception that my best friends DD had - way back in the woods near the cabin she had purchased prior to her engagement - in the mountains of Vermont.. (The brides family lives in NY - the grooms family in the mid-west - and they had friends and relatives come from all over the country..)

The difference was no barn".. They were married by the creek that ran through her property and the majority of the guests pitched tents and spent the weekend there..

I did not attend (my late DH was very ill by that time), but I saw the photos (gorgeous), saw the video (everyone looked like they were having the time of their lives), and only a very few people didn't attend.. Some people remarked that it was one of the best weddings they had been to in a long, long time.. Being a nature lover myself, I could see where it would be very appealing to those who are so inclined.. For others, maybe not.. But in the end, it's the bride and grooms choice and those who don't feel comfortable in such situations have the option of politely declining..

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

My guess is there were a bunch of complaints and they felt forced to change it for the family.
You can almost hear the disdain in the OP's post.

Just MHO of course.

Correct. I hate the idea, but we were still going to attend.

 

[southern_redhead]

I guess I'm in the middle of the road class - I voted "pull out nose hairs" (LOL loved the option!) which came in at 25%... anyway, 300 miles would have put me off, although if it were for someone I was close to I would likely make the effort. Would I *enjoy* the described reception? No. But it is their day and I guess they wouldn't have enjoyed the formal reception I had 12 years ago

I don't understand the barn thing. A girl at work wants to get married in a barn...neither of them farm, grew up on a farm........nothing. I just don't get it but I am NOT a nature girl so maybe that's it. Whatever makes 'em happy

 

[Pakey]

The theme would not be a deciding factor as to whether or not I would attend.