I grabbed this article from the “Offbeat Bride” blog. Here is the direct link to this article, please visit and give her some love. <3
I wanted to re-share for those who have this problem. I know I’ve had a few brides and grooms who can’t afford to have everyone the love at their wedding day. Sometimes, the ceremony is separate for many reasons, and a reception is held later…or the budget only allows for a small group of just immediate family members. It’s a perfectly ok thing to not invite everyone, and these days people should really respect that. But still a relative or long-time friend who you might not communicate with as frequently these days might still be hurt by not being invited. This is a few options/ideas as suggested by Offbeat Bride to let them know you thought of them, and missed them not being there:
Here’s your challenge: how to share your good news without making people feel like A) they were excluded from the good times, or B) you expect anything from them. In other words, you want to share the news without bragging or making it seem like you’re fishing for gifts.
Urg. It’s a delicate balance, to be sure. Here are a few ideas for how to tip toe through this communication minefield…
The family method
One way to get around the awkwardness is to have your parents issue the announcements. Obviously, this only works if it’s mostly family and family friends who you want to reach, but the advantage here is that it comes off just as parental pride, instead of you being like “OMG Y’ALL WE DID THIS AWESOME THIIIIING AND TOO BAD YOU WEREN’T THERE LA LA LAAAA!”
Here’s a wording example:
Mr. and Mrs. Your Parents
are proud to announce
the marriage of their daughter
Your Name
to
Mr. Your Groom’s Name
on Saturday, June 4th, 2011
The new home method
If you and your partner are moving in together for the first time after your wedding, you can bundle the announcement in with announcing your new address. This way it’s less about the wedding, and more about “Hey, we moved because we got married!” Aim for a card design that’s more about announcing a move than a marriage. (Vistaprint has super cheap, customizable options.) Here’s a wording idea:
It’s been a busy time for us!
We were married on
Saturday, June 4th, 2011
Austin, Texas
We’re beginning a new life together
in our new residence:
Our Names
1234 Our Street
Austin, Texas 78704
Do note that if you’re trying to avoid looking like you want a gift, this method is a bit risky. You’re including your address, which could be seen as a request to be mailed something. It’s up to you as to whether that feels right.
The “cut the shit, let’s be straight-forward” method
So you want to tell your friends (so the family method won’t work), you’ve lived together for years (so the moving method won’t work), and you don’t want to play games. Just be honest with your guests. Here’s one way of wording it:
With great joy we announce that
we were married on
Saturday, June 4th, 2011
in Austin, Texas
Our painfully small [guest list/budget/venue/whatever]
meant there were many loved ones
we were not able to invite.
We deeply missed having you there,
but you were in our hearts.
We love you.
We miss you.
We hope to see you soon!
Love,
Your Names
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I’d love to know other suggestions or ways you may have received an announcement or have done announcements like this in the past. Please share! 
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