Invitation Only to the Ceremony

My co worker did that. i was ok with that even though i had never heard of such a thing.
what i was NOT ok with from this: the outright ask for cash gifts, no plus one invite though i was engaged and no rsvp card but an assumed expectation that i'd be there.

We wouldn't do a ceremony only invite but that's mostly because our wedding is out of town for most people so it would be really rude. It's been done a bunch though, some people have small, intimate receptions with family and close friends or some just can't afford the large reception but still want people there on their special day.

Ive personally never seen a ceremony only, I've heard of it but I don't see the issue. Receptions are expensive, the less people the better if you ask me! For wording on the invitation might be tricky.. you'll definitely have to indicate "Ceremony Only". I can definitely see issues with this if the ceremony is the same location as the reception, but if it's not then it should be fine. You can word it the same as a regular invitation just mentioning ceremony and not the reception. Or like mentioned if you have guests you feel wouldn't attend the reception then give them the option.

I would probably still invite them and leave it up to them to come to everything. I liked our friends wedding website; it asked us if we were attending each part (the ceremony, supper and dance). So you can rsvp yes to the ceremony and no to the rest or whatever works for you.

People used to put announcements in the paper with the information for the ceremony and people would just show up. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, just not very common these days. What I think is awkward is inviting people to the ceremony and the reception but not the dinner.