Is it appropriate to only ask guests to RSVP for reception?

Hmmm. Good question. Is everyone being invited to both or do you have seperate guest lists? Do expect some people to only show up at the wedding and not the reception?

Yes, everyone is invited to both, but we know that some of the elderly people will not want to drive that far at night.

I don't think you need to worry too much about the ceremony. If the church will hold 300 and you are inviting 330, I doubt you will have any seating issues. I would just send a normal response card.

You can either do the check mark idea or invite certain people to the reception only.

From what i have observed over the years of attending wedding, people prefer going the reception over the ceremony. Therefore, count on seeing more people at your reception.

In the previous post, I believe it's not good etiquette to invite someone to one or the other, I think, I can't be sure. But I think I heard that somewhere..I like the check mark Idea

Assuming the normal no shows from your invite list, you are probably fine.

But if you want a reception only card, just do something like, "Please join us in celebrating the marriage of... " and put in the reception location.

On our RSVP's cards we asked for the number attending. This has come in handy because a couple people are attending without their spouse.

I was just at my venue going over how the seating is going to be for the reception and ceremony. I wish that I would have checked with them before we sent out the invites because said that from thier expeirence more people come to the reception than the ceremony. which puts me in a bind if that is right. Anyways I think you have a wonderfull idea of puttin the

________ ceremony

________ wedding

on your invites. That way you will know who is going to both. I just asumed that everyone invited would come to both.

Good Luck

I definitely think the check mark idea is the best. But make sure you add a line about extra guests like ____ Reception along with ______ Guests. I would suck to get all your response cards back just to see that your guests brought guests of their own and you not know it in advance. Now if you don't want them to bring their own guests you definitely need to add that to the response card with something like "Due to space, we unfortunately cannot accomodate extra guests. We are sorry for any inconvenience this might hold with your attendance." Now if you are sendingg response cards to couples or families, I would just make sure the cards are addressed to the entire family or couple. Like, "Mrs. TaylorMarie06 cordially invited you, Jack and Jill, to accompany then to said reception at so and so location." That way there won't be any confusion as to who exactly is invited from the family and who isn't.

Also remember that like, 25% (I think, ladies correct me if I'm wrong) of your guest don't come..Esp. if they have to travel to get there.

Also remember that like, 25% (I think, ladies correct me if I'm wrong) of your guest don't come..Esp. if they have to travel to get there.

Traditionally, that's what the response card is for...the reception. It's assumed that if they are going to the reception they'll be going to the ceremony too, but you don't need a head count for the ceremony so it doesn't matter.

You can just put Reception at the top of the rsvp if you'd like...but I don't think the check boxes or "only" is needed. Unless I'm missing something!

Generally speaking you can expect a 10% to 20% drop out rate so seating at the ceremony should not be an issue and most people understand when they get a wedding invitation that they are rsvp'ing for the sake of the reception.

It's common to have those that won't make it to the ceremony but will still come to the reception, which is very normal ~ very few only attend the ceremony...those are usually the elderly guests that are family and often times someone close to you is in touch with them and can let you know of their intentions for the reception. It's also fairly common to have a small percentage RSVP and not show up to either...life happens, last minute things come up so don't be shocked when you have at least a few empty chairs at the reception.

I suggest your "check marks" be something like "will attend" and "sends regrets"...be sure the response card includes lines for names, # of guests and meal choice options, too.

Good Luck!

I'm with you Laura 10.

Usually, it's implied that the RSVP is for the reception to get a head count for place settings/food, etc. Anyone "extra: can show up to the church because its only for the ceremony and that part is free. Unless, you want a head count for both the ceremony and for the reception you won't need to worry about it.

People who RSVP are assuming that they are invited to the reception too. What you could do for those that you want to send an invite to the ceremony but not the reception is don't put an RSVP card in with the invite.

Hope that helps a bit!!