Ok so my fiance and i attend a church where he is the "associate pastor". We recently got engaged and our senior pastor was so excited, he annouced it that Sunday morning.
Consequently, we've had NUMEROUS people approach us telling us they can't wait til our wedding! We super appreciate their support and desire to celebrate with us, but without inviting our congregation (which is upwards of 400 people) we're looking at a guestlist of about 250 people.
How do we not offend them? How do you say they're not invited? Some are really sweet and closer than others. Is it rude to invite them to the ceremony only? If not, how do you tell them they aren't exactly invited to the second half. I feel really bad not inviting them seeing as how my fiance is a part of the "pastoral staff". I don't want any hurt feelings.
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4/5 Thanks guys! It appears everyone pretty much has the same opinion. I have no problem with them being there during the ceremony, it's the reception I can't invite them all to.
The reception will be taking place elsewhere at a downtown venue. I just hope it's not too awkward when i have to explain why they're not invited to the reception (yes we can think of some people that WILL ask)... perhaps we'll just rent a chapel downtown to avoid all the awkwardness...