Waiting outside the church?

[wishfulthinking1]

Hi all-
Wanted to canvas opinions about this wedding etiquette! Am getting married at the end of July, we're having a church wedding, small (about 50 people) reception and then an evening do for about 100. Only people invited to the reception were invited to the church- its a very big church, we'll barely fill 5 rows!

A number of people from work (I work in the town I live in, in a big office) have asked me what time I'm getting married as they'll come and 'wait outside the church'. I have no problem with this, if that's what people want to do, but obviously they're more than welcome in here church too. I mentioned this to a colleague and they said'no, no, we'll just wait outside.'

Is this something people do? Or should I give an open invitation to the church? I'd be interested to know what you think, thanks! X

In the village I grew up in this was the primary hobby of most women between 15 and 95 on summer Saturdays.

yup church weddings are public, this is normal, there were a few regular parishioners down the back of ours having a peek!

The church I got married in welcomed anyone who wanted to come in. Those not invited tend to sit at the back or up in the balcony if there is one.

"Or should I give an open invitation to the church?"

you don't need to, its open anyway!

IMO once you give an actual invite I think there's an expectation to the celebration too so I wouldn't

Yes....I remember it being a real treat as wee girl to be allowed to stand outside the kirk during a wedding and wait for the bride to come out in all her finery.