Guilt about the guest list

I did not go through this however: You are to be commended for having a wedding within YOUR budget!!! If people don't like it, too bad. You two are being responsible adults!!! You go girl!

Just tell people you want to keep it small and thank them for wishing you two the best.

The first time I got married we had 2 weeks go plan and no money for a big shin dig. Our immediate family and 1 close friend each came. Some family came to the church for the ceremony but dinner was at a restaurant for just 16 people. I come from a huge family so yeah there were quite a few angry people. They didn't get it that we couldn't afford to feed all of them and I never wanted a big wedding. No matter what you do people will be angry/upset. You can't please everyone.

This time we are having a DW and invited 50ish people. People are angry we aren't having a reception back at home. We had thought about doing that when we thought no one would really come to Vegas for a wedding. But then everyone wanted to come so we switched it to a bigger wedding in Vegas and no reception. So now we have people mad at us but we can't afford to do both so we aren't.

Do what you and FS want to do.

Hey Dana! First off, welcome to WeddingWire! I'm so sorry you're feeling stressed by this issue, but so happy you're here as a member of our supportive online community!

Having to make guest list cuts is so difficult and even heartbreaking when you think about not getting to celebrate your love with the people you care about most. BUT, the people you can afford to have on your guest list are important ones who will hopefully shower you with nothing but love and validation on your big day.

Your friends and other family should certainly understand having to make budget related decisions, and it's not like you're inviting some and not all friends or cousins, etc. So you're following the proper etiquette which should lead to significantly less hurt among them.

Know that you are not doing a single thing wrong by not being able to include them. Have you considered asking your friends out to a happy hour or dinner to celebrate with you after the wedding is over? That could be a nice way to include them in your "I dos."

I am doing the same thing. We are getting married August 2018, and we are only having 16 guests. I come from a large family with many extended relatives who I would have liked to invite, but ultimately we decided to keep the guest list to only immediate family, grandparents, and one friend. These are the people who are going to be there for us throughout our marriage. We are operating on a small budget as well. If people are offended, they can build a bridge and get right over it.

Believe me I feel your pain! I am getting married June 2019 and I'm in the same boat as you, My fiancé and I are paying for our wedding ourselves with a little help from my mom and dad and unfortunately we cannot invite everyone. I feel bad that some people had to be left off the list but we are not willing to go into debt over it. I say if they are your true friends and family they will understand.

I am getting married on 10/6/2018 and its going to be 25 people. We are doing a small ceremony and then a dinner. I was anxious people weren't going to like it, but you know what, its not about them, its about you and your FH. We didn't want to spend a lot. And I think people will see that and understand our situation. They will just be happy to be around you