Do you invite the pastor?

If you are close to them (it's your home church/family is active with the congregation) I would extend an invitation, but if not, no. It's not mandatory. Plus, yuou don't want to be looking over your shoulder all night checking to see if he/she approves.

We are having a non-denominational minister perform our ceremony. He is traveling by ferry to the location and it will be a very long day for him (ferry system is backed up in the summer and he will leave extra early).

Although we hired him and he is not a family friend, I felt it would be common courtesy to invite him to cocktails/dinner. He accepted.

We invited our priest, but our music is really family friendly (a lot of country and some old jazz). i thought it was the right thing to do to invite him. I dont think you have too, really, but it is a nice gesture.

We will, but he has mass at 5:15. Maybe he'll come later. Regardless, we've invited him to the rehearsal so I hope he comes to that.

If you are inviting the whole church to the ceremony, but only having a small family/close friend reception, I wouldn't feel obligated to invite him. If it were me, I would probably still do cake & punch at the church for everyone that came to the ceremony.

I'd invite him if you know him. Every pastor I know loves wine ;-)

I'd invite him if you know him. Every pastor I know loves wine ;-)

Yea these are super strict no alcohol at all it is very frowned upon along with the dancing and our music is family friendly its just obvious its not religious music.

i want to enjoy my day. just wandering if it was insulting me knowing theyre not into that stuff inviting them

No, not insulting at all. If you don't feel it would be an appropriate setting for them to enjoy themselves, then you are making the right decision.

(first wedding) We invited ours to the reception (and the rehearsal) he came to both

(he was the family priest and had done both of our confirmation and first communion)

I think you should - if you don't know him he may well decline

(also what sort would have issue with booze and non religious music (if I can ask) the ones I know love a tipple and ours was a massive Hendrix fan)

Edit- just read your response. No not insulting if you know they would have an issue with it. Could you slip in that there will be alcohol and/or music and invite. Knowing they will decline? If you are worried about insulting them.

True ^ could do that lots of the invites now come with the eat drink dance thing thats a great way

We're inviting our pastor to our reception, who is also doing our ceremony. He's been my pastor since I was 4 years old, so I can't imagine not inviting him and his wife!

My nieces (2 sisters) invited their Lutheran minister & his wife to their wedding receptions. They stayed for dinner, but left before much drinking or dancing started.

I'll be inviting our officiant to both the RD & the reception. We don't know him personally but he's a friend & pastor to FSIL. I'm doing it to be couteous. He can decline if he wants. It is a destination wedding afterall so we'll see...