Un-Save The Date??

Just spread the word. FB could be an option. It doesn't need to be formal. As long as no one gets an invitation, there is no celebration.

I think that you could do marriage announcements to everyone that got save the dates that did not attend the wedding in Cancun.

If you sent an STD to ask them to SAVE the date, it's still a formality to send a post card to UN SAVE the date. Paraphrasing from Offbeat Bride: "I just wanted to let you know that we've decided not to move forward with the summer reception. I hope I've caught you before you've made any travel plans. Hopefully we can get together and celebrate by other means." If they ask why the reception has been called off, simply say, "It was a mutual decision that we put a lot of thought into."

One reason why I am anti save the dates. I learned my lesson too by sending STDs for our wedding that is now postponed and completely changed plans altogether. We just spread the word around and updated our website.

That's what I was thinking. We think we still need to send something saying there will be no reception. Just so there's no confusion.

Can you just do a big lunch?

Not for 250 people

I can totally seeing myself being over that kind of stuff by the end of this process too. I think that you could always send a follow up card to each guest letting them know that the reception has been cancelled. Either that, or just spread the word on Facebook/through word of mouth that you guys mutually decided to cancel the event.

It's up to you... but I feel you. You shouldn't feel obligated to have the reception still just because you sent out a Save the Date card.

Thanks! @rusticbride We are certainly spent after the whole process. Guess we should have thought about that before!

That is a good after thought. Because we were thinking about doing a informal reception for those of our family and friends that couldnt make our destination wedding. we were thinking of like a cookout or something simple. but i could see how after all the hoop-la you would want to just sit back and chill. Maybe you could do something like that for your 1 year anniversary. A small little get together for those who wanted to come to your wedding but couldn't. I have told those who cant make the wedding to come to my graduation instead. I am graduating with my Second Master Degree in June so I thought I would do something like a pre-reception/graduation party for family and friends that are not traveling with us to Jamaica!

Can you send a marriage announcement and include the decision to cancel the huge reception? You can simply state you need to get back on track and adjust to your "new married life" - this way they are still apart of the wedding joy. Maybe the marriage announcement can be a picture of your and your husband.

Congratulations and good luck!!!

I would try to still do the reception and just have a very minimal one, maybe don't do a whole meal just have cake or something. Where I live if you canceled it people would assume that either your marriage isn't doing good and you don't want to celebrate it (and by telling them you canceled it for "personal reasons" would make them think that more) or that it's just money reasons. It's not right for people to judge and it's really none of their business but if it were me I would care a lot about my mine and my husbands families first impressions of us as a married couple, and canceling your first gathering (that you already sent RSVPs to!) is not making a good one.

Spreading by word of mouth is not going to be enough for 250 ppl. Please send a postcard or note at OTW suggested.

If I was a guest I wouldn't think it was a big deal, but get something in the mail out NOW.

Definitely get the word out ASAP!

I'm also having a DW wedding and FH and I were thinking of doing something back home, but we have 45 people coming to our wedding and they are the nearest and dearest people in our lives so we scrapped the idea of doing something here. The costs just add up so quickly too.

Good luck!

I agree with the above comments. If it were me, I would probably get an announcement made (with a few wedding pics-so they know you did get married) and just let them know the reception is called off. I don't think an explanation is needed on the card.

Ashleigh has the ticket. That kind of settles any potential, "guess they didn't go through with it.." junk.

Can I pester you about how you enjoyed your DW in Cancun? How did it go? Our is in Riviera Maya in August.

@Sunshinejenn- Cancun was incredible!! Literally everything went perfectly. The resort staff really tried hard to give you anything you wanted. I would recommend a DW to anybody! The water there was the bluest I've ever seen. And the sand was so soft and white. Absolutely wonderful!