Invite to reception and not ceremony?

Carson386 · August 2012

So I just got an e-mail from our event coordinator at our venue that they can only accomedate 110 people on their new patio which is where the wedding is taking place. Do I need to look for a different venue for my wedding? Can I invite people to the reception and not the ceremony? I'm so lost! We are inviting 181 and expect about 150 to attend.

Carson386 · August 2012

I know it's not right to have seating for only some of the guests-everyone needs a chair.

LDubHawksFan · August 2012

Yeah, you can't invite only some people. Is the 110 a new requirement? Is the the larger number listed in your contract? Is there anywhere else on the grounds that you could set up the ceremony.

Carson386 · August 2012

They showed us the area when we signed the contract and they said it should fit that many people, but there was nothing about a set number in the contract (I know, not smart of me). Since we saw it and the contract with no numbers was signed, they changed their patio area due to storm damage that happed a few weeks ago. They don't have another location on site. So now I'm thinking we may need a different area to get married.

LeiselEB · August 2012

It's fine to have a really small ceremony (parents only, for instance) and then a large reception. It's another thing to have a large ceremony and then a teensy bit larger reception. I think those few people only invited to the reception will be upset when they realize that nearly every single guest WAS invited to the ceremony as well.

Why not just cut the guest list down to 110?

LiLe422 · August 2012

Sounds like you need a new venue. Thats over 60 guests over their max. I don't think there is anyway around it. They shouldn't hold you to the contract if they changed their space after the fact. I'm certainly no lawyer though.

Meegles4 · August 2012

No, everyone needs to be invited to everything. Either cut your list to fit this venue, or find a venue that accommodates your list.

gurrlballa10 · August 2012

I'd be finding a new venue, as opposed to cutting the guest list. You still have plenty of time, so it shouldn't be too difficult. It sucks to be inconvenienced like that though.

melb2013 · August 2012

I think a new venue is in order!

wrigleyville · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_invite-to-reception-and-not-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:5ab6295f-2328-465a-bba4-06c4164e2db0Post:f8281ba1-b28d-46bc-b461-cd4b71dfcd67">Re: Invite to reception and not ceremony?</a>:
[QUOTE]They showed us the area when we signed the contract and they said it should fit that many people, but there was nothing about a set number in the contract (I know, not smart of me). <strong> Since we saw it and the contract with no numbers was signed, they changed their patio area due to storm damage that happed a few weeks ago.</strong> They don't have another location on site. So now I'm thinking we may need a different area to get married.
Posted by Carson386[/QUOTE]

You should look for a different venue. I bolded that part above because your current venue should not penalize you for changing venues. If they try to keep your deposit, I would show them that you signed a contract before they remodeled and changed the capacity.

Summer2011Bride · August 2012

Switch venues and ditto wrigley on making sure you get your deposit back, as they changed the stipulations of the contract on you. You shouldn't be out any money for this, and you need a place that will accommodate all your guests.

sleepyb · August 2012

Can you move the ceremony in to the reception area which I'm assuming is at a different area of the same venue? Not ideal but then everyone will have a seat and you don't have to change venues.

Carson386 · August 2012

I definitely wouldn't invite anyone to the ceremony that wouldn't be invited to the reception- that's definitely a big no-no and very wrong. Our reception area can hold up to 256 guests, so it could be an option although definitely not ideal. How far is to far for the ceremony and reception to be apart? I talked to my mom and she said she wouldn't mind getting the deposit back and putting it towards rentals for a backyard ceremony (she has a huge backyard) and then having the reception out there, but it's probably a 20 minute drive from her house to the reception site. I can't cut my guest list anymore than we have without excluding family that we are close to.
FI said that he will be calling them first thing in the morning when they are open for business hours and seeing if we can rent chairs to add outside. I think the 110 is the chairs they can fit on the actual patio, maybe we can add chairs into the grass too... I don't know.

AceTT · August 2012

20 minutes is definitely fine. Most people on TK say anything within 30 minutes is fine.

Good luck!!

[Deleted User] · August 2012

Unfortunately, it's time for a new venue. Because they are no longer able to provide the facilities you contracted, I would ask them to refund fully any deposits that you may have already paid.

Carson386 · August 2012

We talked to them this morning, they are willing to let us rent chairs and set them on the lawn. They also added 6 large benches (they said it can fit 5-6 people on each). So I'm going with 4 on a bench and renting the rest of the chairs for the lawn. At least they are letting us do that. I'm doing enough chairs for 190 people to sit (which is a few over the number invited).

TheVirginians · August 2012

Great1 You will have a chair for everybody! There is nothing wrong with chairs on the lawn. Have fun!

LeiselEB · August 2012

Glad everthing worked out for you, Carson!

Invite to reception and not ceremony?

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