Big wedding- small church.. HELP

I don't think that would discourage almost 200 people. However, you will get a percentage of declines, but logistically you cannot fit over 100 in that church. So, you have it in the church and only invite 100 people to the ceremony or you find a tent somewhere and do it outside (maybe where your reception will be held?).

What about having the ceremony where you'll have the reception (not in the chapel)?

Find a new venue. you can't invite people to a ceremony but say "please don't come because we didn't book this properly"

I think the only way you would be able to invite everyone is to change the location of the ceremony. There is no way you will have 200 people decline.

The reception and the chapel are on the same property. And having the wedding in the reception hall is not an option because of how the tables will be set up

You need a new ceremony venue or to stick with the very private ceremony.

I agree - have the ceremony either outside or in the reception space. You can always take pics in the chapel.

I hate to say it, but if cutting the guest list is completely not an option then I don't see any way of getting around it without changing venues or reasoning with FH. I can't really see that many people declining.

Katie, I've officiated several weddings where the guests were seated at their tables.

Ask your venue for suggestions -- I'm sure they've run into this situation before.

Either do it in the reception space or keep it private. There is no 'all of a sudden' when you're planning a wedding. He should have figured this out from the start of the planning, not deciding now and making it a problem YOU have to solve.

I've been to a wedding that was supposed to be outdoor and it started pouring, so we all went in and sat around our tables for the ceremony while they moved the sweetheart table out of the way and got married. They ended up just as married.

You need to figure something out with your FH and stick with it for the next 4 months. I'm sure you can figure out something with your venue, they are professionals who most likely have some solutions for you.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will call the facility and see what can be done