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trying to put together a guest list but need advice.

Wedqueen12Wedqueen12 member
Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments 5 Love Its
in Wedding Invitations & Paper
I'm in the process of trying to put together a guest list and am totally freaking out cuz I'm not sure how to handle the reception. I'm planning on having an open-church ceremony and the reception will be by invitation only. How would I go about this? 
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Re: trying to put together a guest list but need advice.

  • Jen4948Jen4948 member
    Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    You send one invitation for both the ceremony and reception to whomever you'd like to attend both.
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  • photokittyphotokitty mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    edited January 2014
    You only send invitations to people who are invited to both the ceremony and the reception. Your guest list should only include those you are inviting to both the ceremony & reception. You do not need a ceremony only list and should not have one.

    The church is a public place and people are always welcome to attend, but it is impolite to invite someone to the ceremony and not the reception. The reception is your thank you to guests who attended your ceremony.

    If your church publishes wedding times in a bulletin or newsletter, or makes an announcement during church services, this is different. If it is church culture for the church to tell people about a member's wedding, this is not an invite by the couple or their hosts. 

    Either way, you should not verbally or in print invite anyone to your wedding ceremony who you do not invite tot he reception as well.

    GL! :)
    :kiss: ~xoxo~ :kiss:

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  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    A reception is to thank guests for attending the ceremony.  There is no good way to do what you are suggesting.  

     That said, I'm told that some churches have an open door policy when it comes to wedding ceremonies.   Members are told via word of mouth and/or the bulletin about the ceremony.  They will show up for the wedding without being formally invited with the understanding they are not welcome at the reception.

    My suggestion is like Jen's.  Only send out invites to those you are inviting to both events.  If church members show up at the ceremony on their own, so be it.  








    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • MyNameIsNotMyNameIsNot member
    Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    You mail an invitation to the ceremony and reception.

    If the church has an open church policy, they can make an announcement during Sunday service or in the bulletin.  This invitation should not be issued by you.  
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