Don’t invite someone to a wedding ceremony, but not to the reception. Yes, you can do it by excluding a reception invitation card from their invitation, but frankly, we think that’s a little bit rude and bound to lead to confusion when some guests leave to go the reception.

It is better just to decide your budget and then stick to it. If your funds are tight, consider having a less formal and more casual (but still joyful) celebration so that you can include everyone you want to include.

It is generally fine to invite a limited number of people to a ceremony, because that will be more meaningful to the bride and groom, and then have a larger reception that has a separate invitation sent out. Sometimes the couple arrives at the reception and sometimes it is held at a later date.

Married elsewhere, reception only invitation:

If you are married in a small private ceremony or in a small destination wedding, you can still invite people to a reception to honor your marriage. Here are some ways to do that:

. . . . . . . . . .

Jane Smith

and

John Johnson

are pleased to announce

that we will be married

in a private ceremony

in Las Vegas

on Sunday, May 24, 2015

Please join us for a celebration toast

when we return as husband and wife

on Sunday, May 24, 2015

at 8:30 p.m.

First Bar

City, State

. . . . . . . . . .

Jane Smith

and

John Johnson

 invite you to be with us

as we celebrate our new life together

as husband and wife

Please join us

on Saturday, July 11, 2015

at 5 o’clock

at the First Club

Casual Attire

R.S.V.P. to 919-123-4567

. . . . . . . . . .

We eloped!

Because you have shared in our lives

by your friendship and love

we are very proud

to share our happy news.

Jane Smith

and

John Johnson

pledged vows of love and faith

in a small private ceremony

in Hawaii

on Friday, May 22, 2015

Please join us to celebrate at a

Brunch Reception

on Saturday, July 11th

at 11:30 a.m.

Elmo’s Diner

City, State

R.S.V.P. via e-mail to

mail@address.com

by July 1st