Trimmed down - how do we notify?

I’m asking because i don’t want people to just think they got cut from the guest list or to show up expecting a reception

There’s not really a good way to do this. If you already sent out save the dates, you really need to follow through on inviting everyone. Is it a budget thing? If so, you could try to find other areas to cut or try to save more

View Quoted Comment No it’s a family situation we can’t remedy. I have no problem with people coming but there’s no reception now. No way around it

View Quoted Comment I’m fine with the whole world coming to the ceremony but without the reception i feel like i need to say something.

You're going to need to contact everyone you sent a STD to, and say something like, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we're having to cancel the wedding and get married privately." And do it as quickly as possible, because the whole point of STDs is to have people making reservations, etc.--which they may or may not be able to cancel.

One more reason I discourage ever sending out STDs. There are too many situations like this, in which you cause massive amounts of drama by sending out STDs and then not inviting people.

View Quoted Comment Thank you. Luckily we only sent about 30 or so invites and most were to the family that ended up causing such a problem. Also luckily, everyone is in town so there shouldn’t be hotel issues. I’ll get all that in the mail tomorrow. Really appreciate it

View Quoted Comment

This. The only way for this not to be rude is for you to cancel the original event and start over with your very new, much smaller guest list.

View Quoted Comment This. You owe a brief apology, and a statement that there will now be only a private ceremony and no reception. If you are willing to have others at just the ceremony ( some will enquire ) . Or the apology, and statement the event is cancelled, and you will have a private family only ceremony at another future date.

You call each person individually and apologize.

I personally would buy so empty card and send them back out with an apology and update.

Just give everyone a call and explain you have a situation and that there's no reception. Things happen, I'm sure everyone will be understanding