| ride wants her wedding day to be perfect, with | | | | can expect a small percentage of your invited |
| her closest friends and family members as | | | | guests not to attend, even though they may |
| witnesses to the beginning of her new life as the | | | | have sent their RSVP accepting your wedding |
| wife of her beloved. Sometimes, however, our | | | | invitation, it’s likely that you will have an |
| loved ones’ partners are not so beloved! | | | | extra seat available to accommodate the extra |
| We’d rather not have them attend the | | | | guest. |
| wedding and reception, fearing that their presence | | | | What to Do When You Don’t Like the |
| or behavior may ruin an otherwise beautiful | | | | Live-In Partner of a Wedding Guest |
| occasion. | | | | In today’s society, couples who live |
| The truth is that no matter where we go in life | | | | together as man and wife without the benefit of |
| there will be difficult people to deal with. We | | | | marriage are socially accepted as a couple. It |
| can’t choose our loved ones’ | | | | would be discourteous to invite your friend or |
| partners for them, and accepting them into our | | | | relative but to exclude the live-in partner. |
| life gracefully is a sign of maturity. Showing proper | | | | However you feel about the live-in partner, he or |
| etiquette on your wedding day will raise your | | | | she is still your friend’s or family |
| esteem in the eyes of your family and friends, | | | | member’s chosen one. Include his or her |
| but you shouldn’t have to deal with their | | | | name on the invitation, but don’t allow this |
| bad manners in return. Here are some tips on | | | | person’s presence to ruin your day. While |
| handling unwanted or uninvited guests: | | | | it’s courteous for the bride and groom to |
| How to Deal With Friends or Family Members | | | | welcome each guest at the reception, you |
| Who Over-Indulge in Alcohol | | | | won’t have much time to spend with each |
| You may love your Aunt Ethel dearly, but Uncle | | | | guest. Speak to the person briefly and then |
| Fred just can’t seem to control his drinking | | | | excuse yourself to speak to other guests. |
| habits. You don’t want him doing the | | | | How to Have a Wedding Without Children As |
| hokey-pokey on your wedding cake or offending | | | | Guests |
| other guests. Ask an usher, or a member of your | | | | Some couples are happy to have their youngest |
| family who has some influence over Uncle Fred, | | | | family members and their friends’ children |
| to keep and eye on him and remove him from | | | | as wedding guests, while others prefer to |
| the room if he becomes too belligerent. For a | | | | celebrate in a more adult atmosphere. Couples |
| larger reception where alcohol is served, you may | | | | who don’t wish to have children attend the |
| even want to hire bouncers who can discreetly | | | | wedding and reception should state this clearly on |
| handle those wedding guests who have | | | | the invitation. While this may delight some guests, |
| over-indulged. | | | | it may upset others. Stand your ground, and tell |
| Unless you feel no celebration is complete without | | | | any angry parents who refuse to come that you |
| intoxicating liquors, as unfortunately many people | | | | will miss their presence on your special day. Send |
| do, you may choose to have an alcohol-free | | | | your invitations far enough in advance of your |
| reception. This may upset some of your guests, | | | | wedding date so that parents have time to |
| but remain firm in your convictions. One would | | | | arrange for a sitter if they wish to attend. |
| hope they could remain sober for a few hours | | | | Dealing With Wedding Guests Who Show Up |
| out of respect for your wishes. It’s your | | | | Uninvited |
| special day, after all. | | | | Cousin Brittany may just have enough gall to |
| If all else fails, make sure someone keeps the | | | | bring her current boyfriend along anyway, even |
| video camera on Uncle Fred so you may have a | | | | though her request was turned down. Older |
| shot at winning the big prize on America’s | | | | relatives may bring adult children, even though |
| Funniest Home Videos. | | | | their names weren’t included on the |
| How to Respond When an Invited Guest Asks to | | | | invitation Accept the presence of these uninvited |
| Bring a Date | | | | guests with charm and grace, instead of lowering |
| Weddings are celebrations, not dating | | | | yourself to their level of boorishness by turning |
| opportunities. Don’t let Cousin Brittney to | | | | them away. |
| guilt-trip you into allowing her | | | | The reception is a different matter, however! |
| boyfriend-of-the-week to accompany her. Get | | | | Those who are socially ignorant enough to crash |
| yourself off the hook by explaining that the | | | | your wedding may feel their uninvited presence at |
| catering has already been ordered and you just | | | | your wedding ceremony gives them the right to |
| can’t fit in another guest. | | | | attend the reception, also. You have every right |
| Some brides may find themselves unable to turn | | | | to turn these people away from your wedding |
| down such requests for fear of offending the | | | | reception, as well as anyone else who is not on |
| inquiring guest. The invited guest is the one | | | | the guest list. Have security personnel at the door |
| exhibiting rude behavior, not the bride for denying | | | | (ask your ushers if they would perform this |
| the request. You may want to ask one of your | | | | service, or hire professional security guards if you |
| bridesmaids or another person involved in the | | | | think this is going to be a major problem) who will |
| wedding planning to take care of the | | | | only allow invited wedding guests into the |
| RSVP’s and handle any such rude requests | | | | reception room. |
| for extra invitations! | | | | Don’t Turn Into Bridezilla! |
| Consider the circumstances of the request. If a | | | | As brides, we want our day to be perfect, but |
| close friend or relative has become engaged since | | | | few weddings are! Relax and enjoy the day, and |
| the wedding invitations were sent out, it would be | | | | ignore any rude behavior displayed by your |
| courteous of you to welcome the newly intended | | | | wedding guests. |
| partner to your wedding and reception. Since you | | | | |