Military Base Reception

OMG ... I would feel so cool having to "flash my credentials" (drivers license) at the front gate to get in!!!!

I would give yourself more time regarding the RSVPs and do the 10 weeks.

Dang, I wish another Bride on this forum had her reception at a military base. It would have saved her from having to tell her aunt her husband can't come.

Thank you Melissa and your FH for your service. Best wishes!

Lolololol Kathleen

No real advice here...I think this base is kind of over-killing it. From my experience, when you have a wedding on base they just require the guest list and then they check the ID are the front gate so I don't really know why they're requiring so much info now? but regardless yeah I'd give some extra time to get all the info

Do you have any guests who are transgender who might not have ID that matches their name? This could be a serious issue for folks.

We are having our ceremony in a base chapel. We have to submit a similar list.

I'm planning to put a space on the card for it and also include the Gmail we've been using for wedding stuff, if people prefer to send it that way. I expect to have to follow up with most people, on a phone call. I think 8 weeks is still enough. If you sent save the dates, people will already be working travel plans. Just give yourself enough buffer time to call people who don't rsvp by the deadline.

I think most, if not all of guests will be understanding about having to give that information. Most of our families are either retired or active military and law enforcement. We've talked to a lot of our guests already letting them know that these checks will be made and everyone is understanding.

We are used to it, because we live on base housing and any visitor who drives on (that's non military) must have this same background check ran. So our families and close friends are used to the procedure by now.

I just have to contact an ETSY seller to see if we can have the RSVP cards custom.

I've done a number of weddings at West Point, and yes, they search the car at the gate and ask for ID, and my couple made it clear on the invite that this would be necessary for everyone.

I think by sending the list it prevents them from having to run the ID at the gate which would cause traffic to back up. We have a guest list of 130. I think they will look on the list, check the name with the ID and then they can go on base. I don't think they will be searching every car. I know as a rule they have to random search 1-2 cars per 8 hour shift.

This is me, too! I made an extra card to return with the response that had space for the driver's license number or a checkmark if they have a military ID or CAC. Cards and pockets has a free template page that's easy to edit. Sending my invites out for an August wedding with an rsvp by the end of June just in case we need to call people. Also check homeland security for your base- I know certain state have noncompliant IDs so then a Birth certificate or passport is required. What a pain! It will be worth it :-)

I am not sure if this applies to every base- but our base (if you don't have a valid military/dependent ID) make you go to their "visitor station" and register. You have to have a valid license, social security number handy and vehicle registration. I would just double check that this won't be the process because it could see this taking a VERY long time!

I think 10 weeks is a good idea in this case