Can't invite my church

Stick to your guns. If you want to send out announcements, do it after the wedding.

Melissa, you're completely okay in being firm in your decision. Your mom doesn't get to tell you who to invite. So like Caytlyn said, stick to your guns, and I'm sure everything will work in your favor. Believe me, there have been a few folks on my end trying to tell me and FH what to do, and the only thing that seems to be able to combat this is to discontinue discussions about my wedding to them. We're having the wedding we want. All the best

This is a tough situation... I don't think you should feel obligated to invite them all. Ultimately, if you're paying for it yourselves and you want small, go with that! It's your big day and you should have what you want. People will understand. You can't invite everyone. Maybe you can have a brunch or something at the church for the people you know from the church? That way you can celebrate with everyone and not invite them all to the wedding.

We would have had this same fight if we hadn't decided to do a destination wedding (part of why we chose to go this route). My family believes in inviting EVERYONE and we just couldn't afford to do so. Stick to your guns like the other people mentioned!

Don't feel guilty! Weddings are expensive and most people will understand that. You don't owe anyone an invitation, in my opinion. Stick to your original plans and don't let your mother guilt-trip you!

I would personally tell my mom that if she wants to have something at the church to celebrate the wedding afterwards (think after honeymoon) so those people can be a part of it, you're willing to go but that you simply don't have the room at the venue or time to plan an additional celebration. Make it clear that while you wouldn't mind celebrating with your congregation, you simply will not be able to accommodate them due to your venue size. It will put the ball back into her court. If she wants a celebration with these other people enough to guilt trip you, she can take charge of it. I'm not saying order her to throw you a party but next time she brings it up, just give it to her as an option. As far as your actual wedding, stand firm and do not invite people you know you wont have room for.

Yeah I agree with you on that.. making an announcement might make it seem like you have intentions of inviting everyone and you don't. I definitely get it! There's always tons of people you want to invite, but you have to cap your list somewhere.

I'd just make sure to have a serious talk with Mom to make sure she doesn't take it upon herself to announce the wedding for you. You don't want any surprises! Moms can be "helpful" like that.

If the venue is what you want, stick to your guns and hold firm. Perhaps at a later date, you could have a celebration with your congregation?