Step Family on the Guest List

I would say yes only because they’re still your siblings and you communicate with them and see them. It could be really awkward at family events if you didn’t. They may feel like you don’t consider them family.

That is a tough call, and unfortunately I don’t think a stranger can answer that for you. You know the dynamics of your family, and whether this is going to cause hurt feelings. Personal opinion… if you are questioning whether it will hurt your extended family, it’s probably because subconsciously you already know it will. If *I* were in your position, I would definitely invite the family. It’s obvious y’all get along and they look at you as a family member (which means they could feel hurt and potentially question whether or not they should actually think of you as a family member if they aren’t invited to such an important event in your life). But, again, you know your own family’s dynamics.

I don’t have the phone numbers of a lot of my guests. In fact, until a recent party planning group chat, I didn’t have numbers for a couple of my favorite aunts and uncles. It doesn’t diminish our relationship— they are dear dear relatives who I love very much and couldn’t imagine my day without. My point is, I don’t think it’s a fair barometer for determining who gets an invite and who doesn’t. It’s more important to assess relationship, and can you see getting married without some of these people there (both on the family side and the friend side). Also, if guestlist size is really an issue, it’s always okay to draw lines and invite in circles (ie invite the kids but not the kids’ kids) but that too is relationship dependent. No one can answer this question for you , but for me the best questions to ask myself were “can I imagine my day without this person?” or the flipside “would it make a difference to me if they weren’t there?”

I think you should invite them because it will be awkward at family functions if you don't.

View Quoted Comment Thank you to all who have responded, I will put some more thought into this

You also mentioned you wanted to invite some friends you talk to on a regular basis.
Because of that, I would think twice before inviting the step family. Who would you miss the most?
While I know you don't want to hurt your dad's feelings, nor the step family members', your family shouldn't pressure you to invite them over the friends you'd like to have there. It sounds like you would prefer to invite the friends first and you would invite 'the steps' to make them and dad happy over your own feelings.Assuming you can't invite everyone, pick those you want the most over those you think you have to invite. If that means picking step family over friends, so be it ... But it doesn't sound like something you really want in the 1st place.

Girl it’s your wedding!! Invite whoever you want, people will get upset no matter what you do or choose. It’s your day

The rule of thumb seems to be invite in circles. For ex, draw the line at all blood and step first cousins. Or aunts and uncles. And only people you've seen or talked to in the past year

They've been your family since 2004. . .that is 17 years of them being in your life and you in there's. . .I would say at this point "step" is only a label. It's not like you just became step siblings. Invite them and their children, this shouldn't be a second thought or consideration in my opinion.

It sounds like you are close to these family members and I think you should definitely think about inviting them. You said they think of you as an aunt and so I would think you should think about how they would think if you didn't invite them. Can you cut costs some where else so you can invite all your family and friends as well?

It sounds like you still have a pretty close relationship with them, so I'd invite them.