Questions to ask yourself before inviting someone to your wedding

zainab quadri

May 20, 2015 1:58 PM

The guest list is one of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding. But a bride and groom shouldn't feel the need to invite everyone they've ever met

The guest list is one of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding. But a bride and groom shouldn't feel the need to invite everyone they've ever met. Huffington Post offers some suggestions on who should (and shouldn't) be on the list.

1. Have I met this person before?This may seem basic, but brides and grooms are frequently introduced to people for the first time at their wedding! It can especially be the case with distant relatives and business associates of parents. "Sure, Mom may want her coworker who hears so many stories about you to see you tie the knot, but if you don't know that woman, is it realistic?"

2. When was the last time I saw this person?If you haven't laid eyes on a person in 12-18 months -- or at least had a nice, long phone conversation if they live far away then you probably shouldn't invite them.

3. Am I aware of the day-to-day aspects of this person's life? You should only be surrounded by people who have a vested interest in your life and your relationship, and vice versa. This goes for who you are today and who you will be 10 years from now, not who you were 10 years ago.

4. Did I attend their wedding?If you were at their wedding years ago but have since lost contact, you may not need to invite them. There is no need to reciprocate if you're no longer close. Only invite them if you really want the person back in your life.

5. For coworkers, what kind of connection would I have with this person five years from now if we weren't still working together? It can be hard to distinguish the present from the future. People who you see every single day for at least eight hours at a clip right now? They may not be in your life long term. It is advised not to invite a coworker simply due to proximity.

6. Do I spend holidays and birthdays with this person?Seeing someone for big life events means they should be included in your wedding. End of story.

7. Are we inviting the rest of their family?If you have three cousins but you're only close with two, you should keep the peace and invite all of them.

8. Am I comfortable being around this person?Your wedding is a party, yes, but a very personal experience. If you are not comfortable around them, don’t bother inviting them.

9. Is this person a positive influence in my life?Nobody wants Amber Rose at their wedding. But think twice before crossing all Negative Maheedah’s off your list.

10. If we moved away, would we keep in touch? And if we were in town, would we call them ahead of time to let them know?This is a pretty good litmus test for whether or not the friendship is deep enough to merit a wedding invite.

11. Would you change the date of your wedding if this person couldn't come? If the answer is "yes," then that speaks for itself. They are pretty important to you in that case.

zainab quadri