Invites for an anniversary BBQ

calhoun53009

We want to have a cookout for family and close friends to celebrate our 2nd anniversary.  Because our anniversary is over Memorial Day weekend, we're thinking of hosting it the next weekend, which is the first weekend in June.  When should we send out the invites?  Should we mail official invitations or would a facebook event and/or email be ok?  We had a cookout last year, but I honestly don't remember when we sent invites and we just did an email b/c it was pretty informal.  No gifts or anything like that, which is the same for this year. 

grahamsm3

I'm not so sure that you should throw yourselves an anniversary party.

I would just sent out mailed invites for a cookout the first weekend in June and not mention my anniversary. Paper invites can be casual in style. Maybe do a FB event as an RSVP option.

Wine Enthusiast

I think 3-4 weeks is average for a party invite.  We have a huge BBQ over 4th of July weekend every year and I always use evite.com or punchbowl.com and it works out great.  The punchbowl site even has a potluck section that guests can reply to and view if you want people to bring a dish.  You could always combine the two and have it Memorial Day weekend so its not all about your anniversary. 

calhoun53009

I don't want to misrepresent this... it's not exactly an "anniversary party".  We don't expect (or want) gifts, cards, etc and that would be stated up front.  We just want a chance to celebrate our anniversary with those that mean the most to us and are there to support us in our marriage. 

vjcjenn1

Personally, I would leave the anniversary out of it, I actually wouldn't come to a friends anniversary cookout but would come to a friends cookout on their anniversary. I think it's weird to attach the anniversary to it...your close friends and family members may notice that it's on your anniversary and say Happy Anniversary...but just have a plain cookout

and send an evite

6fsn

vjcjenn1:

Personally, I would leave the anniversary out of it, I actually wouldn't come to a friends anniversary cookout but would come to a friends cookout on their anniversary. I think it's weird to attach the anniversary to it...your close friends and family members may notice that it's on your anniversary and say Happy Anniversary...but just have a plain cookout

and send an evite

I agree with this.  Send an e-vite for a cookout.  Don't mention the anniversary because it's a little odd.  If you want to bring the anniversary into it, do it as part of the toast or blessing before the meal.  Or have the dessert resemble your wedding cake.

Maybride2

I think it's weird as hell to throw yourself an anniversary party for your 2nd year. You frankly don't have much to crow about yet.

Have a Memorial Day weekend BBQ, and you and your H can secretly share in the fact that it's also your anniversary.

Wine Enthusiast

calhoun53009:

I don't want to misrepresent this... it's not exactly an "anniversary party".  We don't expect (or want) gifts, cards, etc and that would be stated up front.  We just want a chance to celebrate our anniversary with those that mean the most to us and are there to support us in our marriage. 

 You should never acknowledge gifts (to bring or not to bring) in an invitation for a party you are hosting yourself.  Its very high in the rules of etiquette!!!

GatorWedsNole

6fsn:

vjcjenn1:

Personally, I would leave the anniversary out of it, I actually wouldn't come to a friends anniversary cookout but would come to a friends cookout on their anniversary. I think it's weird to attach the anniversary to it...your close friends and family members may notice that it's on your anniversary and say Happy Anniversary...but just have a plain cookout

and send an evite

I agree with this.  Send an e-vite for a cookout.  Don't mention the anniversary because it's a little odd.  If you want to bring the anniversary into it, do it as part of the toast or blessing before the meal.  Or have the dessert resemble your wedding cake.

 Exactly what I was thinking.  Have fun!

northtamarack

6fsn:

vjcjenn1:

Personally, I would leave the anniversary out of it, I actually wouldn't come to a friends anniversary cookout but would come to a friends cookout on their anniversary. I think it's weird to attach the anniversary to it...your close friends and family members may notice that it's on your anniversary and say Happy Anniversary...but just have a plain cookout

and send an evite

I agree with this.  Send an e-vite for a cookout.  Don't mention the anniversary because it's a little odd.  If you want to bring the anniversary into it, do it as part of the toast or blessing before the meal.  Or have the dessert resemble your wedding cake.

If you must bring your anniversary into this get together, then the above suggestions would be the way to do it gracefully.

amanjay

northtamarack:

6fsn:

vjcjenn1:

Personally, I would leave the anniversary out of it, I actually wouldn't come to a friends anniversary cookout but would come to a friends cookout on their anniversary. I think it's weird to attach the anniversary to it...your close friends and family members may notice that it's on your anniversary and say Happy Anniversary...but just have a plain cookout

and send an evite

I agree with this.  Send an e-vite for a cookout.  Don't mention the anniversary because it's a little odd.  If you want to bring the anniversary into it, do it as part of the toast or blessing before the meal.  Or have the dessert resemble your wedding cake.

If you must bring your anniversary into this get together, then the above suggestions would be the way to do it gracefully.

This.