Do I have to let guests I invite to my wedding bring a guest we may or may not know?

Question

How do I put it on the invitation? As a side note: the wedding is going to run $125.00 a plate.

Just as a note because people are referring to the price per plate: It includes 5 hours of unlimited top shelf open bar, 5 item buffet, the wedding cake, a honeymoon room for one night at the Ritz, and a few other items.

Answer 1

No, you can restrict guests. The way to do this is on the invitation envelope, you write just the person's name, not the person's name and guest ( for example: John Doe, not John Doe and Guest ). Also, you can get RSVP cards that state no guests allowed. The outer envelope has the address on it. Just assume that long term couples that are not married are coming together. People who aren't dating anyone can be dissed of a guest.

Answer 2

As I'm trying to plan a wedding right now, I can totally understand needing to cut costs. It's really hard to keep costs down while planning the wedding of your dreams...I have found while going through my guest list (over and over again!) how much those "and guest"s add up! I've come to the conclusion that if the guest is married or has a serious significant other, they'll of course be invited. It seems almost rude not to invite them...I wouldn't want to go to a wedding without my fiance! But people who have aren't necessarily attached will be getting their own invitation, no guest included. I simply can't spend hundreds of extra dollars to ensure everyone has a date! I'm sure everyone probably understands this concept, and if they don't, they certainly will when they get married! People will socialize- it's not as if you're only inviting ONE person who will be alone. So don't worry about it- do what you gotta do and enjoy your wonderful day! Good luck.

Answer 3

No. It's your wedding. When you send the invitations put just the name of the person you want to come on it. Mention that the wedding is a small affair and you would like the people who are really special to you to attend. It's considered bad form to assume that you are allowed to bring a guest to a wedding. Now, that doesn't mean people won't but if you make it clear that you have only a limited number of plates it should get the point across.

Answer 4

You definitely don't have to allow your wedding guests to bring guests of their own - if you are concerned about not knowing their dates, just invite your friends' boyfriends or girlfriends that you personally know. Or you may want to ask your friends who they might bring, and then choose whether or not to invite those people - but beware, that the people whose guests you choose not to invite will probably feel taken aback.

I would say that if you are hesitant to have a lot of people at the wedding, allow your closer friends and relatives to bring a date - regardless of whether or not you know them. Think of the number of people you want and just ask a select few. For example, if you are inviting 10 people and you are okay with up to 12 people, just ask the 2 that are closest to you if they would like to bring a guest. Or, don't ask anyone at all and make it a smaller more intimate affair.

However, if you know that a guest is in a very serious relationship (long-term living together or engaged) then it would be really nice if you invited their significant other. To do otherwise is totally within your discretion but it could be seen as really mean by the people that didn't get invited. Good luck!

Answer 5

You don't have to, but it's kind of rude. How would you feel if your fiance was invited to a wedding and you weren't? Or vice versa, and you had to go to a wedding without him? You're the one choosing to have food that is $125 a plate, which is crazy by the way. I would personally be mad if my husband were invited to a wedding and I wasn't, it's kind of insulting. Normally I would say it's your day and do what you want, but you don't want your guests feeling lonely and bored without their significant others. Remember that these guests are also bringing you gifts. We made back over half of what we spent on our wedding in just the money gifts from guests.

Answer 6

You can restrict the guest coming to your wedding by only putting the invited guests on the card, however, if you know the person is bringing a boyfriend/girlfriend, not just some random person, go ahead and add the "and guest". Ultimately, its up to you. Its your wedding, you get to have whomever you want there!

Good luck and congrats, sounds like a great reception!

Answer 7

Simply put, no you do not have to let people bring a guest. This was a hard subject for my new husband and I to deal with as well because we wanted to keep people happy but in the end we worked it out to address our invitations to the people we were inviting. As previous people answered, for ONE person put Mr. John Smith if you are allowing him a guest then put Mr. John Smith and Guest. If that person RSVP's for more than one person when you only invited him/her then it is okay to call or have a family member or friend call and politley explain that you- the bride and groom- invited him/her and not a guest and that it's no hard feelings but you do have to have certain restrictions, otherwise your guest list would be out of control. We did that with one or two people and they took it just fine, most peope understand and if they don't understand or respect your wishes then maybe they shouldn't be attending your special day anyway! Good luck!

Answer 8

It is amazing how little people know of etiquette rules. If you address invitation with name and "guest" they can bring a guest. If you don't they should not. If the reply comes back with a guest or two people when only one is invited then you contact them to indicate that you cannot accommodate guests or if you are generous and there is reason , then allow the guest. You do not put "No guests" on an invitation.

Answer 9

You are not required to invite your guest to bring a date unless the guest is married, engaged, or living with someone. For the others it's entirely up to you. On the invitation you would write Ms. Jane Smith & Guest. I think it's nice to let your guest bring a date if they don't know many other people at the wedding.

Answer 10

No, you do not. Address the outside envelope to the people you are inviting (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Ms. Suzie Jones, etc.). On the inside envelope put the names of each of the people invited (i.e. Frank and Betty Smith; Suzie Jones; Mike Doe and guest; John, George, Paul, and Ringo Beatles, etc.) This is how you designate who is invited.

If someone tells you that they are bringing an uninvited guest, you can politely respond that space is limited. You are sorry, but cannot make room for anyone else.