Many people have been hinting at getting a wedding invitation from me, but I don't think I can accommodate all their requests. They haven't been given first priority. Can they attend the ceremony only without a formal invite?
2007-11-19 05:35:56 · 15 answers · asked by Andre 7 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Anyone with any sort of class or dignity won't crash a wedding ceremony. And it's not that common for uninvited people to show up at either the wedding or the reception. Don't give them time or place information if you think they will. (FYI, your church should only post the wedding in their bulletin if you are a regular member of the church and request it or say it's okay.) But I'm going to be honest, the best thing you can do is to be honest with these people. Explain it's a small wedding or your ceremony/reception site is small (or whatever the case is) and you aren't inviting that many people, and it's mostly just close relatives. Then do them and yourself a favor, don't talk about your wedding in front of them. If they ask questions give short, polite answers but don't discuss the planning at length in front of anyone who won't be invited. If you can invite them to the reception, then do, but explain to them why they can't attend the ceremony. Also, never invite someone to the ceremony who isn't invited to the reception. That's just plain rude and tacky.
Another tidbit, if they have to hint at an invitation they probably aren't reasonably expecting to get one. But again don't talk about your wedding plans in front of them, it will help you in the long run.
2007-11-19 06:33:19 · answer #1 · answered by tnk3181979 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am going to be repeating what a lot of other people have said:
Technically, a wedding ceremony held at a church or other public location is considered a public event which anyone may show up to witness. If you are a regular member of a church congregation and are getting married at your home church, you may have people from your church just show up to the wedding. (Both my dad and my future SIL did at theirs.)
It is rather rude to invite someone to attend the ceremony and not the reception. If someone asks about your wedding, you should just say something like, "Unfortunately, we are very limited on the number of guests we can invite. It's been very difficult to cut down our guest list." That way, if he is not invited later, he will understand. The only time it could be okay to ask someone to attend the ceremony and not the reception would be if the uninvited guest approached you and asked if he could attend just the ceremony.
And if there is someone you know you are not going to be inviting, do your best not to talk about wedding plans in front of him! (I know it's hard -- especially when it's someone you work with every day.)
2007-11-19 07:33:49 · answer #2 · answered by Emmy Jo (13 weeks with #2) 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We had a few people come to the ceremony who weren't invited to the wedding. Mainly, parents of our friends and some neighbors who we weren't close with but were still on friendly terms. My wedding was in a church so it wasn't a big deal. But I've seen people come to the catering hall for the ceremony and leave before the reception. I don't think it is a big deal if people want to, but I wouldn't specifically invite them to the ceremony only.
2007-11-19 16:12:28 · answer #3 · answered by JM 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This could lead to problems by allowing them to attend the ceremony without an invitation, they may assume that they can attend the reception too. Perhaps it would be best to explain that, although you deeply regret it, circumstances mean that only family and old acquaintances are being invited. Good luck, very tricky situation, hope it works out for you.
2007-11-19 05:44:51 · answer #4 · answered by Tammy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suppose they can, but it is rude to do so without an invite. If it is a matter of seating capacity, then they should not attend. If you just did not want to spend the money on a formal invitation, then go ahead and verbally invite them if it is YOUR wedding. It's not like someone stands at the door checking for invitations.
2007-11-19 07:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone can attend the ceremony. The church doors are open to all. Many churches list them in the weekly bulletin as well.
Whether you should invite people to the ceremony and not the reception is a different matter.
2007-11-19 05:45:00 · answer #6 · answered by Proud Momma 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they don't know where or at what time it will be taking place, it will be awfully hard for them to be there. Since it seems like you've at least been discussing it with them, next time you talk about it mention how you wish you could invite more people but that the ceremony and reception locations have set capacities (fire code, etc) that they are very strict about enforcing.
2007-11-19 05:43:37 · answer #7 · answered by Engaro 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have a bouncer, they CAN crash the ceremony or reception, but I would like to think that they probably WON'T.
If you are speaking of inviting them to the ceremony only and not the reception, I would advise against it. It would hurt people less if you just said that you have limited space and would love to invite them, but can't.
2007-11-19 05:43:56 · answer #8 · answered by duritzgirl4 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the ceremony is public yes (i.e. church, beach, etc..) They can not attend the reception without an invite. I've never heard of anyone just showing up to the reception uninvited. thats quite rude
2007-11-19 05:43:17 · answer #9 · answered by Alissa 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They aren't supposed to, but unless you hire security or something, if they know when and where it is, they can technically just walk in.
If you're asking if they can attend the ceremony and not reception, that's kind of rude to ask people to come to your ceremony and not give them an invitation to the reception. It lets them know they're 2nd tier guests.
2007-11-19 05:42:05 · answer #10 · answered by Jordan D 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋