Guest list help!!

I think generally it's more common to do the other way around- fewer people for the ceremony and more evening guests. So some people might find it strange that they can come to the ceremony but not the reception. I'd probably do even numbers myself.


Having said that, do whatever feels best for you! Are there people you think you can invite to the ceremony, but don't mind not seeing in the evening?

I just feel like I’d rather have some people take part in some of it rather than none at all?


To be honest, some people will complain either way I reckon 😅

View quoted message Oh, almost certainly!! 😅 People complain about everything!

Is it a church wedding? I've been invted to just the ceremony and not the evening multiple times, I'm attending one in June! The cermony is the most important part as it's the actual marriage so I'm sure many will love the invite!

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It's actually in a castle! It will only be a registrar doing our wedding but i agree, it should be the reason why people turn up in the first place, not for the food haha!

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Exactly! If people complain/moan then they might not have the right priorities!

I think the saying you do bit is what matters thats the most important thing x💗 if it was my family there would be a kick of they are all about the food and drink not me do e feel like you have to invite them to it all. X💗 good luck with your planning x

Is it local? If it is, I think it's fine to invite people just to the ceremony. It might be a bit of a cheek to expect people to drive a long distance just for that though.

I've been invited to numerous ceremony-only church weddings that are local to me (it's really common for church weddings - I guess because the ceremony is seen as the most important thing?) The only times I've ever been invited to ceremony-only at a distance it's been very informal (anyone who would like to attend the ceremony is welcome) and they've usually provided tea and cake at the church for the 'ceremony only' guests before heading off to the reception.

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Yeah so the people we thought of inviting to the ceremony only would be local, definitely.

It's at a castle and it has a bar so I guess we could just do a little toast there before the reception.

One of my friends have also suggested inviting the ceremony only people to drinks after the reception? That might be a good idea.

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If you can afford it, that would be a lovely gesture to stand the ceremony only guests a drink. I think they'd also appreciate the opportunity just to congratulate you. I'd probably do it straight after the ceremony, as that way, they can then get on with the rest of their day instead of having to turn up again in a few hours' time.

Just wanted to throw out the idea of just inviting 80 people to the ceremony? Even though you can have 110 doesn't mean you have to - that way everyone gets to come to everything

I can imagine that getting 30 people to leave after the ceremony could (a) feel a bit harsh to those that didn't make the cut and (b) cause some confusion and accidental reception crashers if they see/hear other people going!

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Very true!!

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I guess it depends on how far the ceremony venue is from the reception. If you can 'leave' the ceremony, then it will encourage the ceremony-only ones to wander off, but if you are just walking from one room to another in the same venue, it might be trickier! Although you could always bid guests a formal goodbye, drive round the block and come back through a different entrance in that case!