Venue Capacity Smaller than Guest List

First, don't invite over capacity. Second, if you're inviting guests to witness your ceremony, you need to host them in some way afterwards with food and drink appropriate to the time of day. If you really don't want to be bothered to plan something for your guests, just elope and don't invite guests. Once you invite other people you have to put treating them well at the top of your priority list.

People on WW are so quick to judge.

Here's the thing: I have been "bothered" to plan something for my guests. I do not owe you an explanation of my situation, but just know we have made a lot of sacrifices up to this point to make something more traditional work. This route has actually been suggested to us by both of our families numerous times. I also said we would be going out on the strip to celebrate. I did not say I wouldn't pay for whoever chose to come out with us for dinner & drinks, ergo "hosting my guests" in some way. Not to mention, people have delayed, low-key receptions/parties all the time, which we planned on doing at a more convenient date also for those who can't attend the ceremony considering our ideal wedding date is in between expensive & busy times for travel, and a majority of my family and people in his extended family live out of state, but we know that we will still have people who would like to attend the ceremony regardless. We are not asking anything of our potential guests at all, no expectations other than to let us know if they will be there or not. No one has to come if they don't agree with it. Everyone involved knows what we have going on, but I just asked for advice on the ceremony location given the circumstances. Thank you for your input.

Girl.

That advice still stands. I promise you, no matter what you're kind of sure of with people not attending (holidays, travel, etc.) it's always a bad idea to book a venue with less capacity than your guest list.

Additionally, from your OP, you just said "we're only having a ceremony and then going out to the strip to celebrate." To pretty much anyone, that sounds like "we're going to a club and people can come if they want!" In those situations as well, it's incredibly difficult to pay for everything. Do you mean you'll be taking everyone out to dinner on the strip?

I'd definitely pick the venue with the capacity to hold everyone on your guest list.

I wouldn't invite more than the capacity can hold. Is 45 the absolute max? Any chance of squeezing in 10 extra? Seems sort of extreme to get a venue for 100 for 55 guests. But I'd go that route over the 45 guests, just in case. Also, people might bring a +1 without telling you. Sounds like you're already stressed out. Don't add to the stress by getting a venue too small!

On that note, you might want to find a place that can hold that many people. Doesn't need to be a traditional venue with all the wedding bells and whistles, but you don't want to be in the situation of not being able to find a place. You could even just rent a private room in a restaurant

I would go with the bigger venue since their space offers more customization!

Make sure if you do this that you send out the "A" list's invitations a few weeks earlier than normal, that way if no's roll in, the "B" list guests have the appropriate amount of time to plan and make their decisions!

Of course!! Best of luck planning!

Thank you!