The Wedding Guest List: Who NOT To Invite

It is the biggest day of your life.

The engagement ring is sparkling on your left hand, you're all loved up and you feel invincible. The hotel is sorted, the dresses have been bought, even the pickiest bridesmaid is satisfied, but one of the final jobs looms ahead.

It requires thinking, endless lists, a hard heart and possibly an argument or two with the husband-to-be.

It is the dreaded part of the wedding preparations.

It's the guest list.

Here's who NOT to invite:

The Office Folk

Are they actually your friends? Or are they just someone you ask politely at the coffee machine how their weekend went...? Unless you'd actually put aside hours to meet them after work, and they would for you, there is no pressure to include them. It is nice to know that they want to wish you well but they can do so with a card. Leave your work at the office and keep your personal life to yourself.

The Unreliable

Do you have that one friend who has the double vodka too many and ends up in the centre of the bathroom, surrounded by comforting guests all offering advice to her life problems and plans? This is not what you want at your wedding. Or that one creepy uncle who will make it his mission to corner the youngest bridesmaid behind the bar in hope for a kiss? This is also not what you want at your wedding. The day is yours, people may be insulted by the lack of an invitation but it will save you putting out fires on the actual day.

Exes

It goes without saying exes should not feature at the wedding, especially any that have ever caused a bit of tension between you and the groom. They invite the opportunity for jealousy and gossip. You do not want either of you to be reminded of that random drunken argument you had two years ago at a friend's wedding because you ended up having a wine-fuelled 'Let's remember the good times' session with him. Leave the past in the past.

The Drunk

We don't know if it's the same creepy uncle that was coming onto the young bridesmaid, the friend in the bathroom or if you or your fiancé have another friend who always takes it two drinks and a tequila shot too far. Though no-one likes a dry wedding either, just make sure the person you are inviting doesn't have the capability to make other guests uncomfortable. Everyone loves the banter with the person who's had the one drink too many but just make sure they won't be a liability either.

Children

There I said it. Phew! Children should not be invited to a wedding. It's all coming out now... A family occasion it may be, and they may be welcome at the ceremony but a wedding party is no place for the kids. Screaming babies are a distraction and, frankly, an annoyance to other guests. The parents of the children, people you actually wanted at your wedding, will end up moody and frustrated as they try to control the children's wanderings. The bottom line is your guests will view your wedding as what should be an enjoyable night, an opportunity to be out as a couple and socialise with their friends. The last thing they really want is a child hanging off them too. Leave them out, and have places on your guest list for people you want to invite.