Guest list - Covid

Hi Cassandra! Sorry to hear you’re in the same boat as a lot of us! We are still proceeding with our October 2020 wedding but have decided to cut the guest list to more than a half (50-75 people). I created a list A and a list B of guests, with List A being close friends and family. I sent out those invites first and I’m giving them a month to RSVP. If I get any cancellations I’m selecting someone from List B.


I haven’t sent out the “uninvitation” cards yet until I know who can make it from List A. The “uninvitation” card basically says, “due to COVID-19, and as a concern for health and safety, we have elected for a more intimate ceremony. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and we appreciate your love and understanding.”
I’ve also started texting some people to give them a heads up and they’ve all been understanding. Hope this helps! Good luck

It sounds like you shouldn't have invited them in the first place and this is the perfect way out.

View Quoted Comment Christine,
Thank you. This helps a lot and I really like the wording you chose in the event you would need to contact guests. I’m probably going to use that if it comes down to it as well! Our list was so out of control to begin with that we’d never be able to call everyone individually so we’d certainly need to send cards.

View Quoted Comment

Caytlyn,

This is true. The pandemic altered so much financially and made many people hesitant of gatherings anyways. So if this is still around in a few months as we finalize things with our vendors, we will most definitely be sending out cards to take the list down by half. Our families alone equal almost the max number.😂

It might also be worth adding that one less painful option is having the guests who are distant to us come after the ceremony and dinner for the open bar and dancing. I’m not a huge fan of this option, but some others in my group are. This would mean approx 80 people shuffle in during our first dance and hang around a crowded bar space waiting to drink, as those who were there for the more intimate dinner leave or mingle. It seems too chaotic for me and it involves more work invitation wise. There isn’t an easy way to navigate this. Bottom line is we don’t want/now can’t afford a 300 person gathering in the brand new days post COVID. That’s if MI is even completely free by then too..

I think I'd go for slimming down your guest list now to reset expectations! If by chance things are looking great next year, you can always add more guests when you send out invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding.

I'd take this opportunity to send out "change of plans" style cards where you share with the guests you'll be cutting that you've decided on a smaller celebration next year! Here are some more tips and examples you can check out as well: How Do I Downsize My Guest List if I’ve Postponed My Wedding? and You are uninvited letter.