sons wedding

Cambridge dictionary definition of Inviie includes the noun dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/invite
Think "an invite" is common usage now.

And choose a venue which has a strict limit on the numbers of guests for which it can cater.

Sounds as if there could be quite a few issues with guests, though, Elegran

Fix a number for the guests, couple ask their friends and give her half of what's left. She can prioritise.

If they issue invitations that indicate that the recipient is not expected to come, surely that is really just a request for wedding presents! I wonder if this wedding conundrum is the reason why so many couples opt for a wedding on a Caribbean beach or some such romantic venue. My young neighbours went off on holiday to Dubrovnik and came back married. They are still on good terms with her mother!

I don't like invite as a noun. A nasty neologism that still sounds uneddicated, whatever dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/invite says!

I agree, Elegran. It's a s bad as the practice of using 'medal' as a verb.

DD3 with husband's agreement arranged the wedding to be in Barbados. She issued lots of invites knowing that few would go that far. Backfired in that none of her husband's family or friends went. I don't think her MIL ever forgave her ..... And the marriage didn't last long.

They did have a big engagement party here though and most of his family and friends were there ..... Except his father!

I would be keeping the ceremony and meal invites to the few they want to attend and send evening only invitations to everyone else ... the cost of a late buffet is much less per head than a proper meal.

They could try telling her that they are both a bit nervous and would prefer only a few people there when they make their vows. Then offer to go along to a party she can organise herself for as many people as she cares to invite.