Out of Town Guests

Pre-Wedding BBQ

My FH and I both want a smaller wedding, around 65 guest, even though the guest list is about 80 atm. We have ALOT of family coming from out of town, on both sides. My FH is from CT, so his family is coming in from east coast, and I have family coming from NC, WA, SD and even Australia. Even most of our bridal family is out of state. So, planning with them in mind, we've had be become creative in a few areas. Because traditionally, you are supposed to invite the OOT guests to the rehearsal dinner, i felt that could get out of hand quickly. And I dont really want to put that on my FH's family, who already offered to take care of the rehearsal dinner, a dinner would be outrageous. Also, having everyone together, we want to be able to spend time with everyone and not have to do any dividing up of our time. So, we have decided to do the rehearsal dinner that Thursday before the Wedding (Sat), 2 days before and keep it small. Only the bride, groom, parents, grandparents and wedding party. I think there are really ppl coming in from out of town that dont need to be there. It's not the wedding dinner anyway. So, that Friday before the wedding we will have a big BBQ including all our out of town guests. It's mainly my FH's and my immediate family. My aunts, uncles, cousins, etc and his immediately family as well as aunts, uncles, cousins. We want our families to be able to meet, with everyone be so spread out, this may be one the few times.

This is becoming like planning a second reception. We are expecting about 40 ppl at the BBQ. We are in so cal, and looove the beach, so we are planning a "summer/beachy" theme. We are going to BBQ tri-tip, hamburgers, hot dogs, have tons of food and drinks out and cupcakes like in the pictures. Our names willl be written on the surfboards, CUTE! We want to have a few tents set out, with cute centerpieces and some hanging lanterns. I've made a DIY banner similiar to the one shown in the second pic. And I plan on making invites using the template in pic 3, and putting those in the OOT bags for everyone. We will have it at my Grandparent's house, alot of my family will be staying with them and it's out place we like to hang out for holidays and BBQ's and such! I can't wait!! It's like a second party! I already picked out "Bride" shirt for me and a "property of the bride" shirt for FH.