Guest list

Are you sending our invitations?

Sorry, I meant to ask are you sending out Save the Dates.

View Quoted Comment No, we were not planning on sending out save the dates

"Open reception" meaning anyone can come? I would advise against this as you might get people who will cause trouble. But definitely send the info to people you want to come, or else they won't know when and where to go!

View Quoted Comment Oh we’re not renting out the bar or anything, that’s just where we will be

View Quoted Comment When you say small ceremony does that mean you’re not inviting everyone to the reception & ceremony? By small, how many guest are you considering? I would probably still do a simple invitation to the people you want at the reception and maybe you all can send them out via text just depending on the guest count.

View Quoted Comment That makes sense. So like an after-party. You could totally send an email to friends that says something like "Please join us for refreshments after the ceremony at _____."

I think that sounds like a great idea! Wouldn’t hurt to send some information to desired attendees - what time? Where? It could be a text, email, etc.

Forgive the slightly morbid connotations of my response but this reminds me of how wakes work after funerals (at least here in the UK!). You just set up camp in a pub or some other location and let everyone know where you'll be.

I would personally recommend reaching out to people you really want to come to let them know where you'll be and to show that you'd like them to join you if they can, even if its just an information message/email!

I would definitely send Save the Dates. The concept of open reception is not common in US but in my culture it is as well as others. However, in this case as a precaution you may want to consider invites.

I think I'm confused. You're having a ceremony, then a dinner, then an "open" reception? I'm just wondering because open receptions aren't that common in the US/Canada at least.

Yes you still should send out invites it's still a event that you want people to attend.

Definitely send a save the date over the phone and physical invites to anyone you want to attend. Otherwise they will not have the information.


The only time I have heard of an open reception is when the ceremony is open to the entire congregation of a house of worship with a cake reception for everyone immediately following. While they are the new trend post-Covid, it is pretty rare and confusing for guests to be invited to a reception only. Especially if it is immediately following the ceremony as they typically do. A reception on another day goes against standard etiquette. Also, many guests don’t feel comfortable or welcome not being invited to the ceremony and cost is not a factor as you are not charged per person at the ceremony. Do what works for you but be aware that you may hurt feelings of loved ones.