Inviting officiant/priest to the reception

[curlygirl]

I am getting married in a church and then having the reception somewhere else right after the ceremony. My FI and I met with our priest yesterday and he asked where the reception was being held. I told him and then said something along the lines of "we hope you''ll be able to join us". After I said it, I realized I have no idea how that works! Does anyone know the protocol on this? Do I have to invite him? Do I have to send him an actual invitation? Whose table does he sit at? Ugh, so much to think about!! Any advice would be appreciated!!

 

[WTNLVR]

We sent him an invitation as our family was an active member of the church. He went and did the blessing before the meal but then he left. We thought he was going to stay for the whole reception. I''d just ask him if he plans on being there so you can plan accordingly.

 

[Rube]

We sent our minister an invitation after extending a verbal invitation for him and his wife to come to our reception. He said he would at least stop by.

Of course he didn''t send the RSVP back

. I guess we''ll just HOPE he''ll be there for at least the first part!

 

[rms]

We sent a formal wedding invitation to our priest for our wedding and extended a verbal invitation to him (and pretty much everyone who went) for the rehearsal dinner. He declined though due to being the only priest at our parish and all the commitments he had. I had asked many of my family members, who had said that they also sent formal wedding invitations to the priest/minister.

 

[abradabra]

We sent a formal invitation to both the rehearsal dinner and the reception to our priest and the woman in charge of co-ordinating the wedding ceremony at the parish. It sounds like from things they have said that they (a) expected to be invited to both and (2) are likely to attend.

We are having three head tables: one hosted by us, one hosted by my parents, one hosted by his parents. The priest and wedding coordinator will be seated at my fiance''s parent''s table because his grandmother is the type of woman who would love to chat with a priest all evening.

 

[FireGoddess]

We had an interfaith ceremony with a female minister we found on the internet. We met with her three times before the ceremony, including the rehearsal. We invited her and her husband to the rehearsal lunch (but they declined due to a previous engagement), and the wedding reception, which they did attend. We extended a verbal invitation only, as the reception was in the ballroom just outside the patio where the ceremony was held (and they were already there of course, for the ceremony). If the reception is somewhere else, I would give them a formal invitation as well.

 

[curlygirl]

Thanks for all the advice! Just when you think you have everything under control, something else pops up! I just never thought about inviting him but now I guess I will absolutely send a formal invitation. I love this board. So much great information from such lovely people!