Guest list woes!

I've been pretty ruthless with our guest list to be honest.

I'm only inviting family members I see often, or want there - I'm not even inviting one of my dad's two brothers (mainly because a) I can't bear his dragon of a wife and b) because I wasn't invited to their daughters wedding).

If there are family members you want there, then invite them but if parents are demanding them to be there, ask them to help with the costs

Hi Laura,

It really is up to you who you want to be there and yes take into account your parents wishes if you want.

I have decided to invite some uncles, aunties and cousins to the whole day because we see them, however, I am not inviting one of my mum's brothers and his family to any of the day as they had a 'fall out' a few years back and I am inviting one of my dad's sisters and her family to the evening do only as we are not close and don't see each other despite not living far apart. On my OH's side we have invited his uncles and aunties but only one of his cousins who we see and not the others!

It was our decision but I ran it past my parents and they agree with who we are inviting or not so I am not going to worry about what anyone else thinks - as in family who aren't invited!

Hi Laura

I had the same problem, I see all of my cousins from my Mums side, but from my Dads side we only keep in touch with one aunty and one uncle, and their families. I went with the rule of "if they dont keep in touch, dont invite them". If we arent close, it really wont make a huge difference or upset them so much. And if it does upset anyone, we are so distant that they probably wouldn't ring me to complain, so I will never know if they are offended! Budget made a big difference for us too, as if I had invited all of my non-close relatives from that side (4 sets of aunty and uncles, 16 cousins) it would have cost us nearly £2000 extra. My Dad is very understanding about this, as he knows we are on a strict budget. Im sure your mum would understand, too.

I have been very strict my sister had around 300 all day guests at her wedding mainly relatives she did not know and parents friends. I am having 60 all day guest full stop, mainly close friends. I looked from the view 'would I be happy to buy you a meal'.

Mum found it abit difficult to accept at first but she has got use to the idea and now says how sensible I am. Have a chat with your mum, and remember its your day!

I only want meaningful people at the wedding, a really intimate affair.