Okay, so I am in the process of getting my guest list so I can work on my invitations. So far with the fiances family and my family, and friends, we have about 146 people, and that is with some people who we had already cut! We both have fairly large families. The Fiance and I have talked and can budget somewhere around 200 people max.
Anyways, I have close ties with the church I have been attending for about six years now. Personally, I think it would be rude to not open up the wedding and reception to the church. There are probably 80-100 people I think will come from my church, I know definitely to the wedding, but I am not sure how many will come to the reception. I know that since I am having it in the nearby room (in the church fellowship hall) that more than likely 90% will come to the reception.
I am on a tight budget and I cant pay for 240 people's food, table decoratons, silverware, plates, favors, etc (we are serving hor dourves, finger foods, cake, and a candy bar).
A girl at my church was married two years ago and had made a signup sheet for people at the church who wanted to come to the wedding, and had them state if they were interested in coming to the reception. Thus, by doing this I could get a better idea on who all would be coming. I would know how many invitations to get. And If I know a more accurate number, and if its more than the 200, I know I will have to cut back on other wedding expenses to accommodate the church family since it is important to me that they come. (I want tthem at the ceremony, but I want as less as I can get at the reception!)
But my question is, is it rude, or unproper etiquette, or have church members sign up if they want an invitation? Do I make the sign up sheet just for reception, or for both ceremony and reception?