While my FI and I come from large families, church families and have too many close family friends, not everyone is invited to the wedding and reception. We are a young couple and we simply cannot afford to formally invite (and honestly, feed) everyone. WE DO NOT EXPECT A GIFT FROM THESE PEOPLE.
Has anyone had to deal with uninvited attendees being turned away at the reception? I am only formally (to include by mouth and in writing) inviting those who are invited to my reception to the ceremony. However, the church (BIG and Baptist where EVERYBODY is somehow related) will announce our ceremony to the congregation/members. The church is a public place so they are welcomed by the church to attend all events held there. I have no problem with this.
Also as a 25 year old, most people my age don't know nor abide by proper wedding etiquette. Its impossible keep all ceremony details (time, location) just between us and the invitees (people just talk to much nowadays). What do you do when people just show up? More specifically when they assume they are welcomed at the reception?
Also, how do you deal with those who don't RSVP? Fill the spot with others or reallocate the funds?
I'm trying my best to stay within proper etiquette. I've come to the realization that the truth of the matter is, either people will feel slighted or just won't abide by proper etiquette themselves (my younger acquaintances) but I want to make sure that I am not in the wrong about anything.