I'm sure this has been discussed on here to some extent, but figured I'd give it a shot.
Same old story as so many of you: Fiance and I are attempting to have a small wedding. We only wanted around 50 people but are already a little over 100. We had to draw the line somewhere, and we did at second cousins. We've accepted that we're bound to have around 75-85 at the end of the day, but if we included second cousins or first cousins once removed, we'd be closer to 200, which we simply cannot afford. Considering I don't know any of my second cousins, an I've met first cousins once removed a total of maybe 3 or 4 times, we felt this was a fair and fine decision. According to certain family members, this makes me a horrible person and a bridezilla to boot. I honestly think that as I'm footing the bill for this whole wedding, that none of them get a say. I would also like to add that it's only two first cousins once removed that people are hemming and hawing over, even though there are a ton others (and second cousins) that no one seems to care about. It's very hypocritical in my eyes, but perhaps I'm missing something here.
Truthfully, this has caused some hurtful comments from family members I thought had my back, and I'm getting shut out by a few of them because of it.
The worst part about it is that when I sent out the save the date and the invitation, I made it clear that only the first cousins were invited, but it was only when I was texted about booking the hotel and if it's kid friendly that I had to have the uncomfortable conversation about it.
Am I in the wrong for not inviting these people to my wedding?