We are really struggling with our guest list. I completely understand that etiquette dictates that you must always invite spouses, but I am wondering if it would still be considered incredibly rude considering the circumstances of our wedding. All opinions are welcome.
We are in our 50's. This is not a first marriage for either of us. We are purposely keeping our wedding small, intimate and simple. We are not having bridesmaids or groomsmen. We are getting married at noon on a Sunday. We are having a ceremony in either a chapel or garden (depending on the weather), followed by a lovely lunch in the event room at a local restaurant. We are limited to 50 guests.
There will be no traditional reception or any of the things that go along with that - no DJ, no dancing, etc. Just a lovely meal with those closest to us.
My struggle is that I am close to a few of my co-workers and I would love to have them with me on this special day, but including their spouses would put us over our guest limit for the event room.
I mentioned this struggle to my closest work friend and she has already told me that she and another work friend would be each other's guests because their spouses would prefer not to go anyway. Another of my work friends is single, but there are three who are married. I know if I talked to them they would say that they would rather come without their spouse than not come at all, but it still feels very rude to even approach this conversation with them.
What should I do?
