Verbiage to Use When Uninviting

There isn't any polite way to uninvite people.

View Quoted Comment Perhaps not, but I can’t really help the situation I find myself in so I do have to find some way to break the news regardless.

View Quoted Comment Just be honest by word of mouth that you have to cut the numbers. Send announcements if you choose after the wedding.

I would think about framing it as "scaling back" instead of "uninviting." Maybe something like "Due to the ongoing pandemic and the gathering restrictions in place, we have been forced to scale back our planned celebration and drastically limit our guest list to immediate friends and family..." and then say something about how it was a tough decision and you want them to stay safe.

This article has some great ideas too: https://www.syracusewedding.com/wedding-shop/email-templates-to-postpone-continue-on-or-uninvite-guests-due-to-covid.htm

I liked the way they said "We hope that you understand that this is a drastic measure we never expected to have to make. We love every single person we invited to our wedding, and this is heartbreaking for us."

And when it comes to being "polite" -- this is completely out of your control, and people are going to need to understand that is is nothing personal whatsoever. I think it's okay to throw the idea of politeness out the window. You certainly didn't ask for this and are doing the best you can.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I really appreciate the ideas here. Exactly, being “polite” and following etiquette are not priorities right now. I do feel that my guests deserve a respectful and direct explanation because I did thoughtfully invite each and every person on my list for a reason- they’re all important to me.

View Quoted Comment I feel like etiquette is out the window during a global viral pandemic that none of us could have predicted.


My fiancé and I are also scaling back to just immediate family and bridal party. We are older in life and if we can get married this year with a smaller crowd then that’s what we want to do.

I’m glad you posted this! I have been thinking about the same thing. We have over 200 guests that have rsvp yes. There is no way we will be able to that many at our reception on June 27th and will definitely have to reduce the list. The responses you were giving is very helpful to me as well.

View Quoted Comment Yes and I’m sure people will understand.


I’m sure your day will still be beautiful and full of love.

View Quoted Comment Yeah I think my fiancé are going to use those responses to construct something we like tonight and start going over the list.

I don’t think Itis rude to uninvite people after a pandemic. Eveyone is going to have to understand.... we might not even be able to have big weddings in 2021 🤷🏽‍♀️ Scale back and have your party

This is a weird time, in which "uninviting" will be completely understood, and entirely acceptable.

It's all about emphasizing the health and safety of your guests, feeling free to cite the CDC or your local government, and hope that you'll be able to have a big celebration/get-together at some point soon.

I'm sorry this is so hard!

View Quoted Comment Thank you Rebecca! My fiancé and I are going back and forth about scaling back. It’s super tough.

View Quoted Comment Thanks Christina, I really really hope we can have the size of celebration we want someday soon.

Hi Nicole! These are definitely crazy times and hopefully everyone can be understanding that we're all making tough decisions and doing the best we can!

You should check out this You are uninvited letter discussion from another bride - she seems to be tackling a similar situation!

I also think that "family & wedding party" or "close family only" are both easy distinctions to make and excuses to give for who does still get to come!

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I will definitely check out. ❤️