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K
Just Said Yes March 2020

Counts for reception

Katie, on February 1, 2020 at 11:15 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 9
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Summary: Will all the locals drive 20 min from the ceremony to the rehearsal or should I estimate a percentage? (Ex. 80% will)


Basically, the guest list is ballooning. Well, ballooned, since invites went out. It terrifies my introvert self. And we have a distinct possibility of being over the limit at the church.... (that’s another story and issue to solve.) We’re starting to get replies back, and, as bad as it sounds, I’ll calm down as the declines increase. (I love them, I’m just trying to fit 380 people in a room for 200) I’m just worried and wanted to ask the question. Especially the little old ladies- would they really drive to the reception?
I didn’t think it was a question until my FH said something about how the only time he and his family went to receptions was when they’re at the same location. I also noticed that the crowd seemed smaller at a recent reception than it had at the wedding I’d attended just before (25 min drive).
Thanks in advance for helping my wedding frazzled brain.

9 Comments

Latest activity by Meghan, on February 2, 2020 at 10:10 AM
  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah Online ·
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    Things may be different in your area, but I've never heard of people just going to the ceremony and skipping out on the reception.
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  • Nicole
    Master September 2020
    Nicole ·
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    I agree with Hannah. I’ve never known anyone to skip the reception (though I’ve never known anyone to skip the ceremony and just go to the reception, either). Unfortunately, you’re in quite a predicament with inviting almost 200 more than your ceremony space holds. I’ll cross my fingers for you that you get a large amount of declines, but maybe someone else will have a suggestion as to what to do if you don’t (my suggestion would be to change ceremony locations to fit all your guests, but I’m not sure how plausible that is since invites are already out).
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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    I’ve seen people skip the ceremony and just go to the reception but not the other way around.
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    Agree with this. Sorry, but most people aren’t going to pass up a free meal and drinks.
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  • L
    Super October 2020
    Leslie ·
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    I’ve known people who skip ceremony and go right to wedding. Never vice versa.

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  • Mandi
    Master October 2020
    Mandi ·
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    I've seen both. I've seen plenty of the younger crowd skip the wedding and go to the reception. And I've parked next to my elderly neighbors at the ceremony, but never ran into them at the reception.


    My parents wedding ceremony was standing room only as we are from a small town, they had the wedding at a church in the small town, and several older ladies told my grandmother that they hadn't received an invitation, but they came any way.
    I can't imagine being in your shoes right now. We celebrate when we get declines (3 declines, 5 total people so far) or when people decide not to bring plus ones (4 so far) or when people choose to leave their kids with a baby sitter (11 so far).
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  • B
    Savvy August 2019
    Brandi ·
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    I think it might be time to set some clear boundaries with your guests if your list is growing AFTER invites. Unless you have the funds to move venues, you won't be allowed to stuff twice the building capacity into the church - it probably violates fire code, and in general would be pretty uncomfortably cramped. I'm not sure why your guest list is now growing, but if people are asking to extend the invite to plus ones, kids, their own friends, etc., you need to put your foot down and say no. It sounds like a rough situation, and I hope for the best for you!
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  • Kaysey
    Super February 2020
    Kaysey ·
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    Honestly, I think it depends on your guests. My FH and I are having our ceremony and reception at the same venue, however, I know if we were having them at two separate places that were 20 minutes away, most (if not all) of our guests would attend both. On your RSVP did you put a spot for their food choice? If they answered that question you could see how many plan of attending. If you did not, I would just assume everyone coming to the ceremony will also be at the reception. As Caytlyn said, I believe there is a very small chance that someone would turn down free food and drinks.

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  • Meghan
    Master October 2019
    Meghan ·
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    I’ve never heard of people skipping a reception after attending a ceremony. If anything, they will skip the ceremony and only come to the reception.
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