Before you allocate tons of money to hundreds of wedding invitations, you should take a second look at who you are inviting to your big day.
If you and your fiancé are a part of a big social circle, narrowing down your guest list can be a nightmare. Try to consider who you are inviting and for what reasons.
Too many times, I’ve heard a conversation about inviting one person just because you are asking someone else to attend.
I would urge you to stay true to your heart. Inviting someone just because you asked someone else who associates with them isn’t a good idea.
Picturing Your Wedding Day
The big picture is your wedding day is an intimate affair. You will be vulnerable and emotional as you stand before your guest to proclaim your love. This significant commitment to one person for the rest of your life is one of the most extensive chapters in life.
Who you choose to be at your wedding should mean something special because every relationship was essential for getting you to this moment with your future spouse.
Who Should You Invite?
Families can be one of the most stressful subjects to tackle when forming your guest list. Parents and siblings may have something to say about who you are inviting and who you are excluding.
I know for many people that making your family happy is a part of your happiness if this is true for you, I offer only one piece of advice.
Invite everyone if you can, but be honest if you genuinely can’t afford to cater to everyone’s needs and desires.
Before starting your life with your husband/wife, the last thing you need before starting your life is to put yourself into debt for something or someone you didn’t even want.
Here’s an idea if you can’t invite everyone in your life to your wedding, send out a wedding announcement afterward.
I’ve seen this done before in the case of couples who elope but who says you have to be traditional. You have no idea how many new people both myself and my husband met on our actual wedding day.
Questions to Consider
Do I Know This Person?
Most distant relatives either show up for one of two things.
Weddings and funerals.
Is it truly realistic to invite someone who doesn’t know you on a personal level? Most distant relatives don’t have a genuine relationship with the actual couple, and if they did, they wouldn’t be considered “distant.”
Most brides and grooms tend to meet some of their guests for the first time at their wedding.
When’s The Last time I Spoke To This Person?
At the bare minimum, if you haven’t had a pleasant phone conversation or been texting back and forth in the past 12 to 18 months, that would be a great starting point to narrowing down the guest list.
Should I Invite My Coworkers?
Every day we can spend 8 hours or more with coworkers, and it can be hard to distinguish whether these people will be around in your life long-term.
Most coworkers can turn into friends, but over time, most friendships from work fade after proximity is no longer there if someone quits or transfers to a different location.
Do I Genuinely Know About This Person?
Don’t hold on to nostalgia and invite someone just because of who you were five years ago. As a new chapter begins, choose the people who can be there for you now and who will be there ten years from now.
If it’s Time to Downsize
Considering take one of your favorite wedding photos from your wedding day and mail it out to anyone you didn’t invite. With a sweet note announcing you are now married.
Anyone who truly loves you will understand and be happy for you.
Don’t be forced to invite anyone you don’t honestly know or stretch your budget so thin to accommodate everyone.
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Every moment counts,
Cynthia