Small Weddings - who to invite

Just when you thought you had it all under control....you need to keep the wedding small and within budget. Or, you just don't want hundreds of people there that you don't feel real love and affection for, such as distant relations or slight acquaintances that etiquette decrees you should invite. This is your day, and you only want your special circle there. So how do you do it without causing grave offence?

If you are funding the wedding, you call all the shots. If your parents are contributing, they may well insist that cousin Dougal and auntie Beryl are on the guest list, and you'll have to be gracious about it, unless you haven't set eyes on them since you were in nappies.

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If you hold the purse strings, why not split up the list into people you want to invite, people your man wants, and people you both want, and see how that pans out? Try not to cut down on the numbers by inviting too many people along without their partners - if they feel they might not know any of the other guests, they could get cold feet and turn you down. Or at least invite the partners to the reception or evening do, along with your work buddies and family members. And let close friends and family know in person that your reasons are sound and that you don't want to offend anyone, but...

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Also, you'll find that the date won't suit everybody, and some invited guests won't be able to make it - which gives you the chance to invite someone who didn't make the A-list before. Be flexible! Those excluded partners might get to go to the ball after all. But ultimately, it's your day, so stick to your guns and choose the guest list you both want the most - hoping that no hearts will be broken.

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For more hints and tips that will help take some of the stress out of organising your big day, check out our wedding information pages. They're an indispensable source of wedding planning tips and style advice for any bride to be and we are adding to them all the time so make sure you visit us again.

And don't forget to browse Henry Kaye's complete range of of stunning wedding shoes (for brides, bridesmaids and pageboys alike), stylish pageboy outfits, gorgeous bridesmaid dresses, and exquisite wedding bags and beautiful wedding accessories.