My husband and I live in a country that is not our own. We got married in his home country in September '11. It was an intimate family-and-close-friends-affair and none of our friends who live here were in attendance. My question is this: is it unusual to throw a 1 yr anniversary party for these friends who could not attend our wedding?
I've Googled it and there are many people who think it is ridiculous and not at all appropriate. We don't want it to be a gift-grab event; we simply want to have a BBQ at our house with our friends.
But the social notion is that an anniversary is something to be celebrated only between the married couple. And that big parties celebrating marriage should be kept to bigger number (like 10, 15 or 25).
I was just wondering how strange this actually is and how some cultures differ. We have friends from many different nationalities here and I don't want people to get the wrong idea.
My husband and I are very happy together and we would really LOVE to celebrate 1 year of marriage with our friends.
Any suggestion or opinions will be helpful.
Re: 1 Year Anniversary Coming up
DH cousins did this HOWEVER it WAS a gift grabby event. They included registry info on the invitation.
Had they suggested best wishes only I would have had no problem with the event!
If you are very clear with your intentions I see no problem.
I've heard of couples having multiple receptions so they can celebrate with friends/family that can't travel for whatever reason. You could do something like that. I agree that you want to make it very clear on the invitation and with anyone who may ask that you do not want any gifts.
Alternatively, you could just have a housewarming party or something other type of event, not related to the marriage.