Invited to upcoming "block party" type reception on my own street...questions...

[artist]

One of my neighbor's stopped by today to ask for my signature to block off the street for her sister's upcoming wedding reception! :) Apparently they want to have sort of a "block party" style outdoor wedding. (Actually, this makes perfect sense in their situation because there are four houses on my block from the same extended family!)

I was excited to hear their news and happily signed the petition form. I was told that I was definitely invited to come to the reception and that there would be plenty of food. I quickly caught the name of the bride (on the petition form) and completely forgot to look at the groom's name.

Anyway, I guess my question is, I suppose I should bring some sort of a gift, right? I mean, that would be appropriate if I end up attending their reception and eating food. (I don't THINK I need to R.S.V.P. I was not exactly given a formal paper invitation nor was I told to R.S.V.P.) I suppose I can try to look up online registries and see if I find the name of the groom. (So I know what to write in the card!) I am a little embarassed to ask the neighbors that question, though I suppose I could.

Also, what sort of attire should I wear? I am assuming that since this is outdoors and a block party style wedding reception, the dress would be fairly casual, but I also think just wearing whatever would be a little rude. I suppose I could just wear a cute summer sundress or something?

Also, I think I better get on the ball and trim the vines on our shared fence since I was asked to do that awhile back and have not been nagged or asked about it since! (I am feeling a little embarassed about that! Woops!) But if their daughter is getting married, and my house happens to be RIGHT next door, perhaps getting that (and um, some weeding) done would be a good idea!

[greenbunny]

I have a strange talent of managing to get through situations without knowing names that I should. :o I'd get them a little something generic, like a nice bottle of champagne, and a card. Write on the card "for the happy couple" and you're covered.

Since you're basically going to be on your own doorstep, I'd actually wait until the day of and peek out to see what people are wearing before deciding. You could always wander over in a sundress and if you feel over/underdressed, duck back to your place and change.

[artist]

I have a strange talent of managing to get through situations without knowing names that I should. :o I'd get them a little something generic, like a nice bottle of champagne, and a card. Write on the card "for the happy couple" and you're covered.

Since you're basically going to be on your own doorstep, I'd actually wait until the day of and peek out to see what people are wearing before deciding. You could always wander over in a sundress and if you feel over/underdressed, duck back to your place and change.

That's great advice! I was thinking I probably would not HAVE to know the names for the card. Just write something like "Congratulations!", blah blah, whatever else, sign my name, done. I also think champagne or something like that is a good idea! (I'm assuming the couple is of legal drinking age! Eh, and if not, seriously, if you're old enough to get married, I swear you should be allowed to drink a bottle of champagne!)

Good thinking about the what to wear part too! I definitely have a couple of sundresses I could put on. I think it would be more problematic if it turned out people were dressed really formal, but I kind of have a feeling this will be a more casual/relaxed affair. Still, I kind of doubt people would show up dressed REALLY casual (as in wearing jeans, etc.), but you never do know! I wonder if the couple eloped or something? I found it odd to say the least that this reception is only in a week and a half and they were just YESTERDAY trying to secure the permit to block off the street! Yikes! I hope they get it figured out! (Would make me so nervous if it were my own wedding!) Also, if it's kind of a hang loose, invite whoever, invite the neighbors, no need to really R.S.V.P., no real invitations (well, who knows, at least not to me, but perhaps most people they know got an official formal invite), etc. I seriously wonder if it's either an elopement that just happened or perhaps a shotgun wedding? When I told the sister (who came by yesterday), "Wow! You guys must be really busy with the planning!" and I asked her a couple of questions, she said, "Well, my sister has wanted to get married for awhile I think, but he wasn't quite ready for a long time, but I guess now he's ready." If they are being that casual, do you think it will be a BBQ or something like that? (Thinking back to the movie Father of the Bride and how Steve Martin envisioned the backyard wedding for his daughter as being a great big cookout!) Either way, it should be a fun affair!

Oh, did I mention the ACTUAL block party (but one block over) is only a couple of DAYS before this wedding reception? How crazy is that?

[Asha]

quite honestly, from what you described i don't think more than a card is necessary. maybe, you could include two movie tickets with the card.

[artist]

quite honestly, from what you described i don't think more than a card is necessary. maybe, you could include two movie tickets with the card.

Yeah, you probably have a point. However I just would feel bad showing up, eating their food, and not bringing anything. But movie tickets sound like a possible cool idea! Gifts like that (or a GC to a restaurant or something) are always nice I think for couples so they can enjoy a nice date together.

As for Champagne, I have seen bottles that are fairly inexpensive. Same goes for wine.

[greenbunny]

I like the movie tickets idea. Similarly, you could buy a GC for Blockbuster and make a little gift basket with a few bags of microwave popcorn.

[kindermom]

I like the wine/champagne idea only because it is cheaper than movie tickets. If you go with wine, Castillo de Diablo is a fantastic Chilean wine for $8 a bottle.

As far as dress goes, my initial reaction was to wait and see what others are wearing.

[artist]

I like the wine/champagne idea only because it is cheaper than movie tickets. If you go with wine, Castillo de Diablo is a fantastic Chilean wine for $8 a bottle.

As far as dress goes, my initial reaction was to wait and see what others are wearing.

Hmm, I've never heard of that one, but it sounds appealing! I may have to try it myself sometime! Also, one of my friends has a bunch of us women over to hang out on her porch every Wednesday night in the summers to drink wine and relax. I may have to bring that sometime to her house! We have a lot of fun and purposefully drink cheap wine just for the hell of it! (Though I suppose saving money is definitely the main reason for that!)

I happen to enjoy one called Le Grand Pinot Noir (obviously a French wine). That one is usually about $10 a bottle. I actually have one of those membership discount cards for an MGM liquor store and they often have great sales on wine.

[kindermom]

Tangent...A friend just got back from 3 weeks in Chile and this was her favorite. They make a caba-something (it is spanish sounding and not cabernet) that I think is the best of the bunch. The good thing about this wine, I do not think it tastes cheap.