The Wedding Guestlist: Who Makes the Cut?
Creating the wedding guest list is a breeze for some couples. For others it’s the source of some serious conflict.
The first thing to consider is whether you want a large wedding or one with a more intimate feel.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve chosen the latter and the task of creating your wedding guest list will be a little more challenging. (Can we really leave Aunt Hilda off the list?)
Another factor that will come into play when creating your guest list is who’s footing the bill. If your parents are major financial contributors, then naturally they’ll have more say in who to invite. If you’re paying for the majority of your wedding you will have more control of the guest list.
Some questions to ask yourself when creating your guest list:
- Who are the important people in our lives?
- Is it necessary to invite co-workers?
- Are we including guests simply out of guilt? (i.e. They invited you to their weddings.)
- Are we including guests that we haven’t seen within the last year?
- What if a guest does not have a significant other. Are we allowing guests to bring dates?
- Do we want to invite children?
- What about extended family? Is it necessary to invite second cousins and great aunts?
Going small
Although intimate weddings can be lovely, having a small guest list can mean some difficult decisions because it will mean that some people in your lives will be excluded. This can result in hurt feelings.
Also, parents might not agree with your idea of having an intimate wedding. They might be upset by the idea that certain family members will be excluded.
Friends and co-workers that aren’t invited might also take offence at your decision to go small.
It will require strength to deal with people that don’t agree with your decision to have an intimate wedding. The best way to handle difficult people is with honesty. Tell them the reasons why you are having a small wedding, and that it would be impossible for you to invite everyone you know to the wedding.
Not everyone will come around. That’s okay. This is your wedding. Stay true to yourselves.
Besides, you can always have a post-wedding party to include those that aren’t invited to your wedding!
Photo: Ralph Heinze Photography
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