Christmas eve

What if you got married at the courthouse on the 23rd, or earlier even, then have the celebration a few days later? It would solve the paper work issues and you could still have your reception with friends and family....

My FH is in the Army, there is a big chance that he might get deployed before, or close to, our wedding date. I understand that sometimes you gotta do, what you gotta do in this lifestyle. I have talked to all my vendors about a possible date change and their policies on that. It sounds like your FH is being assigned a new permanent station after Jan 2? So you two will be moving and this last time you'll be in your hometown, or wherever you are, for a few years? Is that why you're inviting a lot of people and have to do it now?

I agree with PPs. If you can move your date to Dec 23 or NYE, you MIGHT get a better turn out. But either way, be prepared for many declines and small, intimate wedding (which will still be beautiful and memorable!).

For family I would TOTALLY attend a Christmas Eve wedding-- that's what the holidays are all about after all, and your friends who don't have family near may be *thrilled* to have someplace to be for the evening! You will have to expect that people with kids will leave even earlier than parents usually do, since their morning will probably start with giggles and whispers at 5am.

1. I would not attend.

2. How have you not booked anything else big, like photog, caterer etc?

Unless you were immediate family I would pass.

I also think it's rude to make your vendors work on Christmas Eve. They also have families.

Sorry, but I think A.L. is being a little harsh on telling you to cancel the DJ asap. We don't know the people you're inviting and like you said, you're dealing with a military schedule so don't have many options. and I'm sure a lot of your guests understand that. Invite who you're planning to invite, have your DJ and you'll have a great party with who can attend!

Have u ever thought about doing something small just family and then at a later time having something that will u don't have to make friends choose

I think it's fine you're doing it over a holiday, but I agree you might get a lot of declines. If they're typically in town for the holidays, they'll probably come, but people may not want to alter their holiday plans for your wedding!

I think if people understand why you are doing it on that day they will come if not oh well you will be marrying the guy of your dreams. My cousin was married the day after Christmas and we were there to help her celebrate her day, we had to have Christmas while there with them with was no problem because it was something we hadn't done in a long time with our OOT family

Yes, the military lifestyle can be hard. Deployments can happen unexpectedly, leave can be hard to get, sometimes timelines are hard to figure out.

It's no excuse for making bad choices. It's also incredibly short-sighted and not actually helpful to someone seeking advice to say things like "just do what you're going to do!" as though things like inconvenient dates such as this don't matter. They DO matter to any potential guests, and it's important for people to not set themselves up for disappointment and a lot of wasted money in a situation like this.

Lauren, you've been given a lot of great advice, and from one Air Force wife to a soon-to-be-one, I hope you take it.

Angela, no one is trying to be harsh. They are trying to save OP money and heartache by being honest. It's a major holiday and most people won't be available for her wedding.

We understand the circumstances, and most people will feel terrible, but have other obligations, and won't make it.

If you're thinking that you're going to get your marriage license that week, please make sure that the clerk you need will even be there. It's a dicey time for those offices.

I'd call your DJ; they may be thrilled to have the night off.

Because I don't see it honestly.

How are you going to get vendors?

I'm sure you two are getting legally married before he is PCS'd, you could go to the JOP while he is home and, again, have an intimate celebration dinner with your immediate family. Then when he is back from his deployment and you two are settled in your new home, you could have DW; where ever you end up living or even somewhere else in the country! Or you could plan a celebration back home, on a more accommodating date for your 200 guests, and you two fly home.

I'm not sure about others here, but my vendors were very accommodating to date changes, especially when I told them he's in the military. So if things are paid for you should talk to them about just possibly changing the date of their services.

@Zoe then you don't come from a family that celebrates their Christmas on Christmas Eve with the whole big dinner and opening of presents and the whole she-bang. I don't either, but I grew up with kids that did and they still do.

Lauren B (dog icon, not OP) and Celia-

couldn't vendors just say no when she asked to book them for that day? Not trying to white knight but I assume they have some control over what they take.

I was just suggesting that a DJ is not needed for a 15 guest wedding.

Or people with divorced families that have to divide their time between parents, as well as spouse's parents.

Depending on how truly close I was to the bride &a groom I would not attend a Christmas Eve wedding