Ask Amy: Couple could include ‘church family’ in wedding
Dear Shy: No, you do not need to invite all 20 colleagues to your wedding.
For you, there is a possible third option. It’s known as a “church family” wedding, and it might be an ideal solution for you.
Discuss this with your clergy.
In a church family wedding, the church (which is also your workplace) opens up the wedding service to any church member who wants to attend. Attendees do not receive a printed invitation, but clergy would announce the wedding from the pulpit and/or publish it in the newsletter, and invite members to attend the ceremony if they would like.
Your wedding ceremony would include your invited (40 to 60) guests, and any additional church members and colleagues who would like to witness your wedding.
After the ceremony, you and your new spouse would have some punch, cake and cookies in the church hall and thank your church family for witnessing your wedding. Later you and your invited guests would make their way to the reception venue for the private reception.
Dear Amy: I wanted to see how you would feel about having an in-law tell you: “Don't take this the wrong way, but I come first.”
It came out of my brother-in-law’s mouth about a year ago.
I have spoken to him since, but a family gathering is coming up soon and of course I would avoid any negative situation, but I would like to hear from you regarding what you think I should do now?
– Wondering
...continued
