Inviting guests to the ceremony, but not the reception..is this wrong?

It is so wrong, and really rude. The point of a reception is to thank your guests for coming to your ceremony and supporting you on your big day. You cannot invite them to one but not the other. No exceptions.

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue that makes it even worse! Invite everyone to the reception who comes to the ceremony. It would be rude and awkward to make some people leave after the ceremony while the rest of the guests walk over to the reception.

70 isn't that much, perhaps you could find better options for food that save you some money?

I wouldn't do it. If I was a guest who was only invited to the ceremony then I would feel snubbed. I would cut my list down to the very important so everyone can be apart of the reception.

Just to warn you, this could get ugly...

The point of the reception is to thank your guests for attending the wedding.

If you want to save money, cut down your guest list or cut back in other areas of your budget.

Have to invite everyone to the reception. it's incredibly rude and tacky not to. probably the worst etiquette "sin" you can commit.

Don't do it, it's rude

I agree that it's rude to invite people to the ceremony only (and especially if the ceremony and reception are in the same location). Not only does it come off as gift grabby, but it creates a clear divide between your guests of the "VIP" and "the little people." It's not going to make those little people feel very good about you or about the relationship they have with you.

Either just cut your list so that all guests can attend both the ceremony and the reception, or figure out a way to fit all 70 guests into the reception budget.

^^^Yeah. I was thinking ruh-roh.

Yes it's wrong, it's rude.

On the other hand I have had some people who weren't invited ask if they can come to the ceremony only. Of course we said yes and even invited them to join us at the interim thing we are doing before the reception.

Tread lightly here.

Cut the list or cut the budget in other areas. It's like saying - "we love you enough to invite you to our ceremony, but not enough to be included in all the fun afterwards". Put yourself in your guests' place. How would YOU feel if you were only invited to the wedding but not the reception?

Yes

So wrong. It's like saying "you're important enough to buy me a gift but not important enough to feed."

Yeah I would definitely avoid this. If you can't feed them don't invite them at all that looks really tacky. Its like inviting someone to your bridal shower and not inviting them to the wedding that's just rude.

I knew this could possibly result in some harsh criticism, but it was suggested to me by someone I know who has been to a lot of weddings, and made it sound like this isn't uncommon.

I was a little uncomfortable with the idea as well, after being told this a huge NO, I won't be considering this lol.

Hmm, I think ceremony-only is a bit tricky and rude.

Yes it is very very very wrong.

This is so wrong. You cannot treat some guests as though they are less important than others. The fact that your ceremony and reception are in the same venue makes it even more awkward and distasteful. So some people will go to a meal directly after the ceremony and others will have to just leave? I can't imagine this.

Good for you--go with your instinct (and maybe edit your post)

We're having upwards of 350 guests at the wedding but we can't afford a full reception for all those people. We can't help the guest list; we know too many people who we'd feel awful for not inviting. Our families are also huge, like 200+ folks. We're doing small snacks right after the wedding for church members and then a traditional reception for family and close friends. A family friend agreed to cater, so it won't hurt us too much.

But our reception and ceremony aren't at the same place. Your situation, I'm afraid, sounds pretty bad.

I agree with others that it is rude, especially since at same venue.

If you can't cut your guest list, can you modify the catering options? Maybe do heavy hor' douvers? Or limit alcohol?