How to handle uninvited guests .....

How about with a series of wacky emoticons?

I would just write back, "Thanks for the heads up. Enjoy your vacation!" It's neutral and ends the conversation.

Yikes how presumptuous. Since she was nice in her email I guess let it go. But what if she comes back and says oh we cxld our beach plans so now we can come! I don't even know what advice to give you. Maybe say you've decided to keep it a very small ceremony with immediate family so she knows she's not invited. People are so rude sometimes it amazes me I would never assume I was invited to anyone's wedding!

She gave you an "out" so you don't need to tell her she's not invited. Thank her for letting you know and, just in case she wrote that knowing that she wasn't invited, let her know subtly that the guest list is REALLY tight. Something like "I SO appreciate your note! Have a great trip and thanks for letting us know. We are really struggling with the guest list right now and are paring down to family and closest friends. We wish we could have everyone! Hope you have a great time at the beach - we will miss you."

Just with an "OK thanks! Have fun on your trip." Leave it at that.

I would say "Thank you, it was very thoughtful of you to let me know ahead of time. Enjoy the beach!"

@livelybride that's perfect!

Thanks Rachey - I love what Alejandra wrote too.

Yes-- Shannon's response is perfect. No need to tell her she wasn't in the first place.

I would just say "Thanks for giving me the heads up! Have a good trip! :-)"

She doesn't need to know she wasn't invited in the first place.

Just say thanks thats so considerate

I agree with the others. Don't let her know that she was never invited in the first place - that will just make everything more awkward. She can't come anyway, so this is an easy one. There is no harm in just saying "thanks for the head's up".

Thank you ladies! I really appreciate it! We are only having family and two friends each in a very small church, so it is important that we don't have anyone show up. It's already going to be close to the max with 50-60 people. We honestly wouldn't have room for her large family of 8! LivelyBride, copy/pasted your response! Thank You! That was perfect! I've seen posts for uninvited people that the bride didn't like, but not one like this situation, Thank You again!

I would just say "thank you for letting us know! I hope you have an awesome time at the beach!" or something. There is no point telling her she wasn't invited when she can't go anyway.

Same as most these ladies said - Don't mention that she wasn't invited. She already is unable to attend. Tell her to enjoy her vacation!

@alejandra I like that response. Short and simple!

I agree with Riki that I wouldn't address that she wasn't invited anyway.

I'd just tell her to have fun