Invitation Question

[j.d.l.102205]

I need a little advice. I'm hoping someone can help me with this a little bit.
Our wedding is Oct 22, 2005 @ 1:30pm and everyone is invited to that (family, friends, and the whole church.) Thing is we are having a dinner reception for 250 (no more) which means I can't invite the whole church to the reception. We are supposed to send an invitation to the church so they can put it in the bulletin. I knw not to include a reception card or response card with that one since not everyone will be invited to the reception. Should I have them add something in the bulletin that states the reception is by invitation only? Or do I leave it blank and risk answering the question "Are you having a reception" 200 times? Help please, we are wanting to print the invitations this weekend. I hope that all made sense. Any tips or advice would be great!! Thanks

[Larissa]

I personally would put reception by invitation only in the bulletin. That way everything is just laid out on the table, but I've never been in this situation so I have no clue what is considered proper.

[j.d.l.102205]

Thanks Larissa

[Reenie]

You may, instead of saying that the reception is by invitation only, state, "The entire congregation is welcome to attend the ceremony." That makes it pretty clear without actually having to say it... just a thought.

[j.d.l.102205]

Thanks Reenie

[Hokulea]

Maybe say "Private reception" if you feel you need to say something direct?

[Atlanta_eBride]

Don't know if this is an option but a friend of mine was kinda in the same situation as her family was very active in the church. She had a small punch and cookies type reception with a cake in the church "hall" that everyone attended. Only those of us who were invited to the "real" reception knew about it as it was an extra insert into the invitation.

[reeny]

I agree with atlanta_bride if at all possible have a cookie/cake(reasonable sheet cake from a grocery store)/punch reception for the guests that aren't invited to the big reception. To me a reception is a form of a thank you for being a part of our wedding and it would seem weird not to have or attend at least a little one

[j.d.l.102205]

Thanks ladies for all the great tips.
I know we are doing a receiving line (actually FH and I are acting as the ushers and we are going to dismiss the guests, that way we get a little time) my photographer knows too that we need to have a little bit of mingle time for the people who are not invited. I thought about offering punch and cake but I'm not sure if we really have that much time. We'll unfortunately never have time to do some pictures outside (with enough light.) My mom however knows a very quick and simple favor that she can even make at work so she's going to make up a bunch of those and have a nice basket for them.
Thanks again for the suggestions. :)

[Reenie]

I changed my answer. :p I think that if you have time, cake and punch at the church is a good idea. :)

[BethElena]

j.d.l. - we are announcing the wedding and opening it to all at our church. We are just putting in the bulletin that "All are welcome in the celebration of B&B's wedding 8.19.05 at 7pm." We aren't mentioning the reception. But we are doing a little punch/pound cake/chocolates/pretzel thingy. I didn't want guests to leave right away (we're having pictures right afterwards to try to get some sort of sunlight!!). Plus, we thought the food would keep the guests busy for a little while until we could mingle. Also, we felt that by having this "mini reception" we could mix more intimately with people here than at the reception the following week.

I know that the older members of the church will like this mini-reception because it's less stressful for them, with no loud DJ, etc. KWIM?