Overcapacity for Reception!

Don't over invite.

Don't send your STDs to local guests 11 months in advance.

Don't invite guests for the ceremony only.

If you're steering into a collision course, turn the wheel. Don't commit yourself to more people than you can afford to host.

@Elizabeth my advice was more so in regard to creative options. We obviously are having a very small wedding. A lot of coworkers, friends, and even some family members (like those in school) didn't make the list because...well we simply do not have room. However there are a lot of people who we obviously would love to have come celebrate with us. The reason I asked my question is because I was wanting suggestions, many people gave me good tips (i.e. send a holiday card/mail them something else, invite them to the nightcap/have a second reception) for tackling this ordeal.

I'm new to the fourms I didn't think this would come across as vexing, I was just looking for tips from those who have possibly encountered this dilemma was all.

Thanks everyone for responding. Within the time I've posted I actually got the list down to 55. Just 5 more to go!

If you have such a small budget you shouldn't do a second reception/nightcap thing unless you can afford to properly host those guests, which means having an open bar and at least some food. So if I were you I would cut the guest list or make it work in the space with 60 people. Do NOT invite people to a second reception and then make them pay for their drinks

Inviting people to your ceremony then not inviting the same people to your reception is a no. Just don't do it.

For the record, NO ONE said inviting them to the nightcap or having a second reception was a good idea. Everyone at the ceremony should be invited to the same reception. Don't have a tiered wedding. It's not creative. It's rude.

I don't think it would be rude to tell people where you'll be at that night (bar) and they can decide to come say hi or not....

But please correct me if I'm wrong on that. Inviting everyone to x bar vs hey guys we're thinking about going to x bar tonight?

^I would not do that. It smacks of "you weren't good enough to come to the wedding but I still want attention from you".

Just invite 50 people, do not have rude after events with people who weren't invited, and have a nonwedding related party later or on your first anniversary. Keep It Simple, Sister.

I had 99% of my guests RSVP yes. Always count on everyone showing up.

@Samtoine - "I'm getting married in October and 50 of my nearest and dearest are coming to celebrate with me. You're not invited, but you can find us afterwards and pay for yourself if you want." If that's not the rudest thing, I don't know what is.

Don't tier your wedding or reception. That's rude! Also. Don't send save the dates if you are teetering with the guest list. A save the date indicates that a formal invitation will follow. If you need wiggle room, you won't have any after STDs have been sent.

Yeah your fault you should have made sure your venue coincided with your guest list. Not sure why you're asking guests for addresses a year out. And to the people saying it's fine it will work out... NOOO. My God.

Lots of good ideas here, but tiering your reception or asking people to join you and pay for themselves is not one of them. Cut the list, send them Christmas cards, an invite to Pampered chef party, anything, but don't invite them. For every person who says people don't show up, there is someone who will say that their 'no' rsvp's came unexpectedly.

Keep on cutting!

I don't have any additional input, other than I agree about not doing an after party (because that just highlights they weren't invited to the wedding) and to not invite more than 50. However, I wanted to add that everyone runs into planning concerns and to not feel to bad about it

SF city hall is gorgeous! Beautiful location!

Definitely agree. Don't over invite. You'll just have to cut your list. It's hard but you aren't over by that many.

I'd try to get rid of 10 people.

Only invite what your venue can comfortably accommodate. I know cutting the guest list is hard, but it is the only way! You have time since you're a year out.

Don't do a tiered reception. It's so rude to guests. You can do the night cap with the 50 people you invited to your ceremony and reception. That's a fun idea!

So much can happen in the next year. Don't get too stressed yet. You have time. Since most everyone is local the STDs don't have to go out for a while. If someone asked me now for an address for a STD, and I didn't get one 6 months from now, I probably wouldn't even notice.

You don't need to send STDs. Do what others have suggested and send a Christmas card to those whose addresses you asked for. Then cut your list by 10 or find a new venue. Those are your 2 options.

@loveinDC actually BayBride2017 suggested the nightcap so SOMEONE did say that.