Guest List advice!! Please help!

We did this for our July wedding as well. Here is the final version of the letter we will be sending:::

To the dearest people in our lives,

Although we wish to be able to have the honor of your presence at our wedding, the current pandemic has forced us to make a very sad announcement.

After much deliberation, we will be modifying our original wedding plans. It disheartens us to have to tell you that this needs to include an extreme modification of our guest list. Between everchanging state regulations, and considering the risks of hosting guests from countless households (including those who are considered to be at high risk during these times), there were a lot of factors that went into making this tough call:

We have made the decision to have our wedding on our originally planned date of 7/11/2020 with no in-person guests besides our parents and siblings.

As much as your presence will be missed, and we are saddened to share this news, please know that we are making this call with everyone's health in the forefront of our minds, and we hope you will understand. Even though we won’t be able to celebrate in person for the time being, we are looking forward to the day when we can all gather safely and catch up on each other's lives.

Sincerely, and with nothing but love,

(INSERT NAME)

PLEASE NOTE:

We are currently working on a method to

live stream the ceremony at 2 PM on 7/11/2020.

You can find all information regarding our wedding on our wedding website

(INSERT WEBSITE)

Click on the “Live Stream” menu tab for detailed instructions

of how to join us virtually and view our wedding live!

I think you should tell the people that you can’t invite as a courtesy. You wouldn’t want someone doing that to you. We’re all going through the pandemic together and we all know the various types of events it has affected. I don’t think they’ll be anything but understanding.

People who received save the dates deserve to know what your plans are. Many places that are opening now are only allowing maybe 50 max. Let them know it's due to covid restrictions and most people will be understanding of current events.

Definitely say something to everyone, it’s disrespectful not to if they’ve been saving the date and would lead to a lot of hurt feelings. On the flipside, everyone should be pretty understanding given the circumstances ! I’d just send a note to everyone explaining that you’ve downsized due to current circumstances and health concerns and though you’d love to celebrate with everyone it just isn’t possible at this time — people should be understanding of that. If you don’t say anything, they won’t be so understanding, and I would expect to get bombarded with questions asking what’s up as the date drew nearer.

View Quoted Comment Thank you everyone, you are all right, they deserve to know! All the stress of everything made me not want to send anything out thanks for all your advice!

View Quoted Comment Haha I understand it’s stressful!


We have dear friends who were scheduled to get married in July and we were VERY curious about what was going to happen but we didn’t want to be pestering them— so while some people may be patiently waiting, they are thinking about you!
They’re postponing instead of downsizing, but for what it’s worth, they just emailed everyone to update them . Seemed to get the job done, and on the positive side, they were flooded with loving supportive messages in response !

Once you send a Save the Date, those guests should normally be invited. Therefore it’s proper and kind to send them an announcement for this Covid situation. Something like Autumn’s is beautifully said!

I think it's really important to send something, even though I understand why all the stress would make you want to just ignore it! Everyone will understand it's not because you don't want them there. I hope it all works out for you!

I'm about to be in a very similar predicament. Out of respect and courtesy I would announce the change on your Wedding if website(if you have one)respectfully let your guests know that you had to cut the size.. Maybe due to concerns of covid would be a good reason to cite? Keep it concise and broad without divulging into too much details. I'm sure there's legit reasons you cut down the list and even so you both are allowed! Friends and family should understand. And to those who don't ..that's their responsibility.