Tag: wedding guests

  • How to Decide Who Makes the Wedding Guest List 

    How to Decide Who Makes the Wedding Guest List 

    Trust me; it isn’t as bad as it sounds. Unless you come from a large family, then it is…a little

    It goes without saying that establishing a guest list is a full-time job, so the following information will help ease the decision making so you don’t lose your mind figuring it out. Now, you may think writing a bunch of names on a list is easy enough, but oh gee, here comes your partner’s second cousin wanting to invite his best friend’s cousin’s sister…

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    Obviously, you know better than to invite complete strangers to your wedding. At least, I hope you do, because as we know, it’s packed enough without the extras. You don’t want to cause any tension between you and other family members, but you also have a hundred other things in mind, especially staying within your budget. It’s a doozy, but here a few helpful tips to get you started. 

    Some Family Counts 

    Your immediate family? Add them. Your partner’s immediate family? Of course. Extended family? This one’s a little difficult to pin down, as wedding etiquette says if you invite a few, you might as well ask all. 

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    So here’s what you do. Once you write down all your immediate family, think of your closest extended family. Are you speaking to any of them? Do you see them often? Do you both send each other memes and bathroom selfies? If so, then add them with no hesitation. If you or your partner start writing names of people you don’t even recall or haven’t seen in years, you’ve gone too far and need to take a break. The pressure is getting to your head.

    Some Family Does Not

    Once again, we are bringing up prominent families because while it’s great to come from one, we never really know any of them. Many of them have probably gotten married without your acknowledgement, so that wave of guilt you may feel not sending them an invite can go straight to hell. 

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    Your second or third cousin doesn’t need a seat at your wedding. If anything, they’ll feel confused about why you invited them if you haven’t spoken to them in years. You are under no obligation to invite them. 

    I repeat: you are under no obligation to invite them. If you’re desperate to see them, plan a family reunion soon. 

    Cut Out Unruly Friends or Family (You Know the Ones) 

    Raise your hand if you have that one friend who gets blackout drunk, gets rowdy, dances on tables, develops an Irish accent, and confesses their love for you as you’re cleaning their vomit off your clothes. Cool, now raise your hand if you are that friend. Congrats, you’re paying for this party so if you want to get so crazy that you forget it’s even your wedding, I say go for it! 

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    Don’t get too crazy, or people might start thinking you’re sabotaging your wedding on purpose, and something might be wrong…

    If you have friends or family who love to make a scene (or two) and know they won’t comply if you ask them to behave, then cut them off. That is terrible energy, and this is your big day. If this person is important to you, you can sit down with them and politely speak to them about their behavior. If alcohol is the trigger, lessen their consumption so you won’t regret inviting them. 

    Your Co-Worker Is Not Your Friend (Neither Are Your Neighbors) 

    Not much to be said here. 

    You share an office, that’s great. It doesn’t mean you have to buy them dinner and a spot at your wedding. While your neighbors may be the “nicest people” you’ve ever met, you don’t have to go as far as inviting them to your wedding. This celebration is for your closest family and friends, not for people who bake you gingerbread cookies on Christmas. 

    Children Don’t Need to Be Present (With One Exception)

    They are your kids. That’s the exception. 

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    A few wedding couples may be compliant with having children at their wedding, but if you’re watching your budget, enforce the no kids’ rule. If a parent takes one, they take all. If you have foreign relatives, you understand what all means, don’t you? It means you can’t provide dinner for your guests. in fact, you can’t afford the wedding. 

    Be ruthless on this day; you deserve it. 

    Follow the “Plus One” Rule 

    If a guest is allowed a plus one, they need to invite someone really, really, really close to them (fiancee, parent, relative). This is not a party where they can ask their buddy Tom who he met playing Call of Duty

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    You are not (will not) spare a seat on your wedding day for someone you’ve never seen in your life. Many people you craved to invite could not be added to the guest list simply because there was no space, and this guy shows up with a stranger? I don’t think so

    Enforce the plus one rule. Make it clear to your guests about the limited space you have and how you’re giving them a chance to invite someone dear. 

    It’s never easy telling someone they’re not invited to the wedding, but Brides has some great advice on how to break the news to them in the most loving and understanding way. 

     

  • 10 Guests You Meet at Every Wedding

    10 Guests You Meet at Every Wedding

    It’s spring, which means it’s officially wedding season! Once you’ve secured a second job to pay for all the travel, gifts and Rent the Runway dresses, you’re ready to hit the church/hotel/chic-but-rustic backyard fête. Here are the ten people you can definitely expect to find there:

    The Engaged One

    She just got that rock on her finger and she’s proudly showing it off to mutual friends, while he’s nervously glancing around the room thinking about how much this is going to cost.

    Find them: asking the bartenders if this is premium liquor, grabbing the band leader’s card and critiquing the cake.

    The New Couple

    It felt like a good idea at the time: inviting the new bae to party with friends at a wedding, but now–phew, is it getting hot in here?

    Find them: giggling nervously at the vows, avoiding questions about their future like it’s the plague & bar-hopping after the reception.

    The Hot Mess Auntie

    It might start with a slight slur, but the Hot Mess Auntie will spill the family tea, so she’s definitely worth scouting a seat next to. Not to mention she sets the reception standard by double fisting white wines.

    Find her: talking everyone’s ears off about how she’s surprised the groom fiiiiiiiinally settled down and winking at the guitarist.

    The Wannabe Event Organizer

    Whether she’s an event planner or florist by trade or for a hobby, this guest is always there to take charge. Even though she can be a little overreaching, the bride is usually glad to have her.

    Find them: shuffling flower girls to the aisle, buckling the bride’s shoe, instructing the photographer to grab that shot of the separated parents actually getting along.

    The Awkward Co-worker

    Sometimes, in a blissed out state, people find themselves handing out wedding invites at the water cooler. “It’ll be a great time,” they say, until the co-workers realize they don’t know anyone.

    Find them: in the corner sipping champagne ready to leave as soon as the cake is cut.

    The “So Happy for Her” Friend

    There’s always going to be that guest who is, like, soooo happy for the bride or groom. Maybe they just got out of a relationship, maybe they’re painfully single. Either way, their thinly veiled well-wishes are hilarious to watch.

    Find them: pounding shots at the open bar, telling everyone how so-not-jealous they are.

    The Overly Sentimental Friend

    Sobbing Susan and Tearful Ted are a little much. Avoid being a captive audience in the bathroom line if possible.

    Find them: grabbing the mic to give an unplanned toast and giving out inappropriately long hugs.

    The Politician

    Every wedding is really a networking event for this guy or gal. They might as well be wearing an American flag on their suit jacket.

    Find them: shaking hands with every person at the wedding, introducing themselves by full name, and leading the crowd in “Shout!”

    The Single One

    Like the Congressman, but with more flair, the single one also looks at this wedding like an opportunity, but expect them to be scouting the location of the “So Happy For Her” Friend, too.

    Find them: twirling strangers on the dance floor (sniffing out the bridesmaids, chatting up every guest, suggesting places to go out afterward).

    The Sibling

    The sibling is a mixed bag of emotions. Maybe they’re happy, mad, or unsure what they are. But you can bet that they are going to be a good time. After all, they get the fun of a family wedding with much, much less of the stress.

    Find them: lovingly ribbing the bride or groom, wearing sunglasses at night and definitely not bringing a gift.