Downsizing?

Since you already canceled the original wedding, I would send invites to the new one. I feel you you just hit the restart button, so you would proceed just as you would in planning any other wedding.

View Quoted Comment I agree with Hannah. By canceling the original plans, you aren't obligated to invite everyone from the previous plan. Send a new set of invites only to those who are invited to your new date. You do not need to reach out and explain to those who you are no longer inviting.

I agree with Hannah and like how she put it saying how "you hit the restart button".

Definitely send out new invites and since you are having a more intimate wedding with close family, if you can, call them and give them a heads up to expect a new invite in the mail from you, that way you can make any necessary adjustments in your invite ordering and sending in case someone does inform you they already know for a fact they cannot attend.

As long as you sent out cancellation notices, and not postponement, you should be fine. Once cancellation notices are sent, that event is null and void, and you can treat the new wedding date like a completely different event (with a completely different guest list).

Thank you to everyone who gave advice! Truly appreciate it!

At the beginning of the pandemic this was a common question sent to the etiquette gurus (Miss Manners and Peggy Post) to figure out how to navigate the situation. They recommended sending cancellation cards to everyone on the original guest list. Then start over with a new guest list from scratch and send new invites with a new date because it’s a different event than the previous one. In this situation, if budget is a concern, go old school by sending save the dates verbally over the phone or in person with the same timeline of save the dates sent at 6-12 months before the wedding and invitations sent at 6-8 weeks before the wedding.


If someone is unable to attend, still send them an invitation, not add a last minute B list.