Shhhh!! A Surprise Wedding!!!!!

Interesting thought. But how are you going to get people there? If they don't know it's a wedding, you might not get the guests you really like. For example, if you call it a regular party, other people might make other plans (or not take off from work, etc.).

I love it. We've done four or five of them; people thought they were coming to an engagement party or Christmas party and in the middle, we swooped into the wedding. I think it's a fabulous idea!

Erica, good point. I edited my post above to reflect your point. We were already planning to have an engagement party in December right before Christmas. So, that's what we sill say. Since we don't have very much $$, the folks who don't come will be a plus for us (haha). We will make sure the most important folks come, like parents and such. If others don't think our engagement party is a big deal, then maybe they shouldn't come to the wedding either?? Maybe thats mean, but I really just want it to be our design and our vision.

I think that is a great idea I wish I had seen this post much earlier in my planning! I might have followed your lead.

I just saw this on say yes to the dress!!! She told them she was getting an award and wanted everyone there.

I wish I had the cajones. FH wants to elope and throw a surprise reception. I'm so worried none if my loved ones will come since they're all OOT.

OMG. I THINK THIS IS AN AWESOME IDEA!!! I wanted to do this but my FH said no.

Yeah, I am super excited. FH is anxious about it, but he is ALWAYS anxious and it manifests itself in resistance.

One couple invited immediate family to a Christmas morning brunch and we surprised them with a wedding.

Another couple invited immediate family & a few close friends to a graduation party (the bride just finished college). She showed up in a wedding gown and surprised everyone.

I agree with erica that you may have some issues with people not realizing they were missing the wedding if they don't show, but in your situation I love the idea.

may be a way to be able to do what you want.

if nothing else, any way for only certain people to know the real story and let it be a surprise for the pain in the neck guests?

might be able to have someone in the know get them there.

keep us posted, I'd love to hear how it all works out!

What a cute idea sound so fun I hope it works out wonderfully for ya'll

I've been to one and it was a mess because they got married that way due to family resistance to them getting married. your situation is different though, so it should be fine! I think it'd be fun and would just be more worried about how soon that is than anything else.

This sounds like so much fun. I love the idea

.Our families are so excited about us getting married, which is part of the issue. They love us so much, we love them a ton (including in-laws), so its been hard. We are constantly thinking about whose feelings will be hurt and folks are showing frustration towards us for wanting to do a smaller wedding. We are paying for the wedding ourselves (entirely). No one has offered to help although they give numerous [sometimes terrible] suggestions, like, "oh. here is this campsite you can use as a wedding venue." No, thank you! Haha. We will see how it all works out. FH is saying possibly push it back til February for more planning time on our part. I want December because we will be in town for the holidays and my graduate school graduation (just got my Ph.D.). Ugh. We will see.

If it fits your personalities, I think it's a fun idea. I would just make sure that all you VIP's are definitely going to show.