Invites without dates?

[MarknNicole]

Please be honest!

I have a group of like 7-8 friends from college that all know each other, and are all really close. I want them all at my wedding, and none of them would be traveling for the wedding. Is it a no-no to send invitations without the option of bringing a date? I guess I kinda see it as a way they could all reunite and enjoy one another, all sitting together, rather than worrying about seating arrangements and their dates. I dunno...any opinions? I don't think that they would be upset AT ALL if it was this way, likely even preferred, but I certainly don't want to be rude, either. Only 1 of the 7 has a significant other (at least as of now). Opinions?

[shawnsgirl]

Technically if they are in a long term relationship and/or living together I would on advise inviting their dates. If most of them are single I would just put there names on the invitation and do not include and guest. If you feel they wouldn't have a problem with going single to your wedding then go for it. Most people understand. I think it's always a "nice" thing to do is to give a single person the option to bring a guest if they prefer but sometimes it's just not in the budget.

[Doglover]

i agree with shawsgirl. SOME people like older people that were not married and were single we didn't put "and guest" but for everybody else that wasn't married i put "and guest". HOnestly most of then did not bring guests.

[MarknNicole]

Thanks! Others, please feel free to put your $0.02 in! : )

I just have sooo many single friends that I feel would be indifferent to brining a date, but may almost feel obligated to. And I really feel like it's a benefit to my finances and their enjoyment of the wedding to fly solo and reunite with buds and be a part of my day.

Thanks!

[Doglover]

you can do whatever you want!! Something that really bothered me at my wedding was my husbands dads girlfriend's DAUGHTER(haha wow) I have only met her once. She is like 17 and she brought her boyfriend to the wedding and nobody said she could have a guest. Nobody even asked if it was okay or anything. AND HE WAS IN OUR WEDDING PICS!!!! First of all i don't even know hubbys dad's GIRLFRIEND very well. BUT they were ALL in some of our wedding pics and i do not even KNOW the daughters boyfriend. I didn't notice until i got my pictures back..uhhhh!! sorry to hijack.

[TangoWedding]

I'm with everyone else. I think it would be FINE if you didn't invite guests for each of them. :D

[KMS]

I'm in pretty much the same situation as you are. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do! Really I think that if you guys are so close and they wouldn't be offended then go for it. Even if you don't put "& guest" ya know that some people will try to bring them anyway though! :snide:

[bichonlvr]

MarkNNicole-you are not getting married for a little less then 2 years, it will fly...BUT many of your "single" friends might not be so single in 2 years! If they are still "dating" the same guys who knows they might be engaged or heck even married!!

I think it is perfectly fine to invite people without a guest...I am! If they have issues they will let you know! BUT think how you would feel if you were invitedd to a wedding and your FH is not invited!

[WebLady]

I don't think there is any real etiquette on this (that I know of at least); I would do like the others have said and look at it on a per case basis.

If you know the people have been in a long term relationship then you could invite their SO by name or at least give them the "guest" option. Otherwise, if you are worried about too many guests then don't offer the "guest" option.

You should also make it known through close friends and family that guests are not expected unless you had given the "guest" option; you know how some people can be ;)

Good luck!

[Jacklynn]

I say give it time, you still have awhile before you even think about sending out invites, like someone else said, things can change a ton in 2 years, have of them could be engaged or some of them even married like they said in that amount of time.

[sunrise2112]

I agree with the pp that it depends on the relationship. I think that if your friends are in a long term relationship, then you need to add "guest", however if they are single and dating, then no. It's your wedding, you choose who YOU want there.

[Smashingpennies]

We had several that we knew that were in realtionship, but were not sure when things might change. We invited them know that they may or may not bring someone with them. We bought 350 invites and send out all but 50 of them, so we bought enough food for 350 guests, even thought we actually had 175-200 show up. I tried to plan a head for most everything, it also depends on if your having a sit down dinner or not. If I would have had a sit down dinner I would make sure that I did the RSVP cards and had them let me know if they were bringing a guest. My husband has gone to several weddings where I was not invited; as they didn't know me but KNEW my husband was married, and it sort of irritated me at the rudeness of it. I of course made sure my husband went anyways, but I sure felt leftout by it. I think they saw this as a way to cut cost, but sometimes it really is more the merrier.

[frenchie]

I think it all depends on how much space you have. If you can only have a fixed amount of guests, and you have lots of people you'd like to come, they'll get over it. Hey, I'm sure their potential guests would rather NOT come - they don't know you, or your FH, and won't enjoy the day as much. Plus that's additional traveling expense for them. If they're not married, not family, and not bridesmaids, I don't think you need to invite a guest for each of them.

[StJohnBride]

JMO -- if you invite a date for one, you should at least offer for the rest.

I wouldn't want to have FI invited and sit there with him and the rest of my giggly dateless girlfriends.