this is the code for the render ad
Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Wedding Reception Forum
Wedding Reception Forum
New Discussion

open ceremony and closed reception.

Brenden88Brenden88 member
in Wedding Reception Forum
Ok so some background. My fiance is asking to have an open ceremony at our church where our RSVP'S would take priority and then if any members of the church would like to attend they can. Because she was raised in that church she feels it would be disrespectful to not invite them to the ceremony. I being the groom to be was told that could be off putting to the extra guests who are not officially invited to the reception. My fiance (her) and I are at odds over who is keeping the guests in better mind. Her parents are willing to finance the wedding within reason but I fear the extra guests could try to invite themselves into the reception which we have a guest list prepared for. I need help in showing and explaining to her my reasoning. Thanks guys and gals.
Report Reply to Post

Re: open ceremony and closed reception.

  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    Church weddings can be tricky.  You should send invitations only to the people who are invited to the reception.  Church members can usually attend any event that is held in the church, and a general invitation to the ceremony can be extended from the pulpit, but you shouldn't send written invitations to anyone who is not invited to the reception.
    Is the reception being held in the church building?
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
    Report Reply
  • MyNameIsNotMyNameIsNot member
    Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    You are right, your FI is wrong.  It would be off putting (and really rude) to invite people to the ceremony but exclude them from the reception.  If they aren't invited to the whole event, they shouldn't be invited to any part of it.

    Your solution is built in for you, though.  Churches are generally open to the congregation.  Often, churches print announcements in the weekly bulletin.  Church members who are not invited may choose to stop by to witness the ceremony, but they'd know that you hadn't actually invited them.  Thus, they would know they weren't invited to the reception.  You'd just have to be careful that nothing comes directly from you, either printed or verbal.  
    Report Reply
  • blunderingbrideblunderingbride member
    10 Comments 5 Love Its First Anniversary
    I totally agree with MyNameisNot. Sending any kind of invite from you and your fiance will just be confusing, or in some people's cases they will just take advantage. And then your catering and everything is screwed up. The church should be able to handle it. If they typically invite the congregation to everything than an announcement about the wedding happening should suffice and maybe the officiant/priest/rabbi or whatever can be sure to emphasize that the reception is invite only.
    Report Reply
  • manateehuggermanateehugger member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary 5 Answers
    MyNameisNot has got it. I'm used to seeing wedding announcements in the bulletin. I think those are totally fine as long as they are worded as an announcement, "Brenden88 and FI will be married at Your Church on Your Wedding Date," and not an invitation, "Brenden88 and FI invite you to witness their marriage..." An announcement is fine, any sort of invitation is not fine. 

    Church weddings are technically always open to the congregation because they are public places, but attending an event at a public space is not the same as being invited to attend that event. 
    image
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards