Do you think this is a little tacky? Or nice?

[Arimeh]

Works for famous people - and you guys are gorgeous just like famous people - so why not!!

[Mollie89]

A friend of ours did something similar, said they were having an engagement party that was themed, and everyone had to dress up a certain way..
then...

BAM out walks a celerant and they got married in a lovely garden..

I think if you like the idea, then you should defs go ahead with it!!

[Pretty Butterfly]

If you dont have to worry about people not coming, go for it babe!!

It takes out SO much of the cost, and hassle, and will prob be much more enjoyable for you both!!!!!

[blessedatlast]

I think it's a nice idea And hopefully DF wont forget the anniversary if it's on your b'day lol

[suse]

Friends of mine did this, it was supposed to be a 40th birthday, but the big surprise was that the bride didn't know about it beforehand either Seriously, I'd marry a guy who went to all the trouble of organising a surprise anything, let alone a wedding.

I think it sounds lovely!

[{sarah}]

Friends of mine had their engagement party, all dressed normally, him in a suit, her in a pretty dress. Halfway through the night her niece felt unwell so my friend, her sister & niece disappeared for a little while (& me, I was their photographer). They reappeared & my friend was in her gorgeous wedding dress & shocked the entire group of people there when they realised what was happening. It was beautiful.

[Indadhanu]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh {sarah} that is so cool! PZ do it like that, do it like that! An engagement party / wedding.

I really love the idea of a surprise wedding, and maybe to get people coming tell them theres going to be a surprise they don't want to miss! Make out like you're going to tell them its twins or something hehehehehehe

[Mother Goose]

Friends of mine had their engagement party, all dressed normally, him in a suit, her in a pretty dress. Halfway through the night her niece felt unwell so my friend, her sister & niece disappeared for a little while (& me, I was their photographer). They reappeared & my friend was in her gorgeous wedding dress & shocked the entire group of people there when they realised what was happening. It was beautiful.

This is what a girl I work with did too. I think it is gorgeous!

My Uncle also did this - had a BBQ and half way through they went and got changed and came out dressed up - that was the first guests knew about it. Even their kids (second marriage for both) knew about it. My Aunt had made the girls beautiful dresses at night after they went to bed so it was a total surprise for them too! They did have people missing but looked at it that those who really cared for them were there.

Personally, I think it's a great idea. We had wanted to elope or do something similar as opposed to the massive hooha that traditional weddings can be. Do whatever feels right for you!

[Tuesday's Child]

DH's best mate and his wife got married at their engagement party. The party was at his mum's house and when the time came they asked everybody to go to the front of the house. The bride was wearing a pretty dress for the party but had changed into a wedding gown. They had told some close friends who they needed to perform certain tasks, but neither set of parents had any idea. After the ceremony the also announced their pregnancy. It was a beautiful, relaxed day. Very Australian with the smell of lamb roasting on a spit coming down the driveway lol. I say, if it's what you want, go for it.