Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

latinanyc Posted: May 04, 2010 11:54 AM

Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

Hi All,

I'm thinking about sending out an invitation only to my ceremony for some guests. Mainly it will go out to people at work and some people I know through my church affiliations. I was wondering what everyone thinks of this idea. And, how I should word the invitation in particular.

It would've been nice to invite them to the reception as well but it's just not economically feasible. As it is, I am already having about 200 guests. I also thought because the day is approaching pretty quickly I could send the invitation in the form of an e-mail or even an e-vite. I'd like to hear your comments.

Has anyone seen this done before? And, what was the response from the guests? I'm afraid some people may be offended for not being invited to both ceremony and reception. But how do I get the point across that I wanted them to still share in my special day.

Thanks!

BlackTieGuy Posted: May 04, 2010 11:59 AM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

I think you just have to know your audience. Some people would love to come to the ceremony and understand that there are economic limits on the reception, while others would be largely offended. For the people that you want to invite to the ceremony only, do you have an idea of where they fall?

Also, my personal opinion is that word of mouth is the best way for something like this. An engraved invitation seems a little too formal for just inviting someone to the ceremony, and might make some people think 'she went through all of this trouble for me, so why didn't she invite me to the reception?'

AwaitingAugust Posted: May 04, 2010 12:00 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

i think the only way you can do this is by telling them in person (or on the phone) ...

tell them that you wish that you could invite them, but unfortunately, you can't. Then tell them that if they're interested in coming to the ceremony only, you'd be very happy to see them.

i think email / evite are kind of bad ettiquette and might offend people.

cleokizzy Posted: May 04, 2010 12:32 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

i agree with the other brides - WOM would be better rather than giving them an actual physical card as invitation.

and, jmho, if they are not invited to the reception, might as well not invite them at all. i would personally be insulted if i was told that 'you could come to the ceremony but not the reception because we're tight on budget'.

mrsdraskin2009 Posted: May 04, 2010 12:42 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

Posted by AwaitingAugust

i think the only way you can do this is by telling them in person (or on the phone) ...

tell them that you wish that you could invite them, but unfortunately, you can't. Then tell them that if they're interested in coming to the ceremony only, you'd be very happy to see them.

i think email / evite are kind of bad ettiquette and might offend people.

ITA!

lbkate Posted: May 04, 2010 12:49 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

Posted by cleokizzy

i agree with the other brides - WOM would be better rather than giving them an actual physical card as invitation.

and, jmho, if they are not invited to the reception, might as well not invite them at all. i would personally be insulted if i was told that 'you could come to the ceremony but not the reception because we're tight on budget'.

ITA...if they want to come to the ceremony, let that be their choice.
If I got an invite to come to church, I would be pretty offended To be honest...kinda like 'ok, I am important enough to go to church, but not enough to go to the party?!?' JMO

bellabride2011 Posted: May 04, 2010 12:50 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

honestly i think its in bad taste to invite them to the ceremony only. I would be offended.

AdriandSteve Posted: May 04, 2010 12:58 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

I agree with everyone else. You can't just formally (which a phyiscal invite does) invite people to JUST the ceremony. Nor can you send an evite to anything wedding related imo (aside from a bachelorette party).

I'd do it through word of mouth.

AngnShaun Posted: May 04, 2010 01:09 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

i wouldnt send invites specifically for attending the ceremony only... i would just personally give them the information if they want to come to the ceremony

Lady12 Posted: May 04, 2010 01:10 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

Actually my co-worker did this and it worked out for him. They did simpler invitations for the ceremony only invites and they gave out to everyone they knew and could not invite to the reception. Some people might be offended but I think that for coworker and church affiliated people this it might be okay.

Lovebug2016 Posted: May 04, 2010 01:16 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

I agree with the word of mouth. Doing a formal invitation may create awkwardness. They may feel like they have to give you a gift when they werent originally planning on it but just wanted to see you get married (even tho your prob not expecting one), or they may feel offended that they are only being invited to your ceremony and not anything else. Its a nice idea though but I dont know if thats a situation you want to potentially create.

Future Mrs H Posted: May 04, 2010 01:18 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

One of my coworkers did this about 2 years ago- didnt work out at all. Some people got confused and thought that they were also invited to the reception. Others were insulted that they werent invited to the reception. It caused hard feelings.

i would do it by word of mouth.

SoonToBeMrsONeill Posted: May 04, 2010 02:47 PM

Re: Help! Ceremony Only Invitations

Ahhh I was invited to a ceremony only and got super offended... Now of course that I'm in the same place I understand why it was ceremony only but still... Just be really careful about how you phrase it and definitely do it face to face if possible.