Surprise Weddings?

I think it's fun, but I wouldn't do it. I don't really see the point of it. You stil basically plan a whole wedding (unlike eloping) so you might as well tell everyone. As a guest, I would also want to know so I could bring an appropriate gift/card for the occasion. I also agree with the family members who didn't make the engagement party, I would definitely put much more effort into attending had I known it was the wedding.

Anyone else getting flashbacks of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's surprise wedding? Haha

To each their own. However, I personally don't agree with surprise weddings.

I think it can work, if you and most of your guests are pretty laid back and if all the major guests live close by and will make just a party one you get into OOT relatives and friends it becomes more difficult. (As in your OP)

This happened in my home province, except the guy had planned everything the cake, the dress, photographer the whole nine yards proposed to his fiancé and then they got married two days later. I attached the link to the story it's super cute!

http://www.appleheadstudio.com/2012/10/will-you-marry-me-in-two-days-2/

That is super cute @er.jhj2014. I know if FH and I pulled this both of our parents would be so mad at us! Personally IM not laid back enough to pull it off.

I like it. I've done quite a few of them.

@Celia, I'm intrigued, how do guests recieve them? And how do they make it a surprise? Is it disguised as an engagement party?

I would love this I should have done this!! We love surprises

The ones that I have done have always gone over well!

One was, as you said disguised as an e-party. They told everyone that they would be announcing the wedding date at the party and everyone had to be there to get their invitation in person. They then announced that days date!

One many years ago was just too cute. Their families were gathered together for an intimate Christmas Eve. I show up and the introduce me as a friend of the bride. Then they announce their engagement... and that they're getting married right there and then!

The mother of the bride said: "You can't get married now. I'm in sweat pants!" The bride said: "It's ok. I'm going to get changed. You can too!"

I hate surprises but I still like these I can see why some do it. You don't have to worry about everyones input into every detail lol mom saying you should invite so and so. I say it has it's perks lol. And you get to really surprises your guests.

WOW!! thats romantic in theory, kinda like eloping, Its soo awesome when I hear someone else has done it but I would never do it. Just me...but I think its amazing that they did. WOW!

I think it's fun but it is sad when people get left out because I too, would take time off for a wedding, but I wouldn't take time off for an engagement party.

My uncle had a family BBQ that turned into a surprise wedding. they had told my aunt (who lives out of state), and my brother and I knew because he told my cousin in front of us, and they wound up telling my grandparents that day.. it was an issue because the whole reason they had the surprise wedding was because they knew people had problems with them getting married. (too bad they didn't listen, the marriage lasted less than 2 years and she left him by stealing his truck and credit cards and driving across the country. she still got alimony. ) so I think it depends a bit on WHY you think a surprise wedding is a good idea..

Yeah, my big concern would be the OOT people who would skip a eparty but come to a wedding. I know I wouldn't have had my dad, lovely stepmother, or three half brothers at my wedding if we'd done such a thing, but if all your family (that you like, anyway) is local, it could work fine.

I officiated 2 surprise weddings. The first couple invited family for Christmas morning brunch -- I married them in front of the Christmas tree. Guests were kind of expecting an engagement announcement because the couple had been dating for a while.

The second was a "surprise the graduate college graduation party" and the guests were surprised when the bride showed up in a wedding gown! I overheard one of the guests talking about her thought process: "She's wearing a fancy dress. She's wearing a fancy white dress. OMG, they're getting married!"

A guy called me. He wanted to plan a surprise wedding while he & his girlfriend were here on vacation (they were not engaged -- yet). His plan was to propose and then have me join them and marry them right then and there.

I had to give him a reality check -- the two of them had to go to the courthouse together to get a marriage license.

So, that morning he proposed to her on the beach, that afternoon they went to the courthouse & got their license, and then I met them on the beach for a sunset ceremony!

I think it's cute! Sad that some had to miss it.

I'm working on a story about surprise weddings - particularly guests who weren't fans. Let me know if you want to chat! You can email me at: *******@******.***