My fix for last minute wedding guest cancellations.

I think we're date twins!!!

I am doing similar. I could not invite some work friends which they understood. But I have had a few declines so I can put them in that place =)

I think it’s a good idea

My cousin did this day of! Had our other younger cousin invite his guy friends. They obviously didn’t care they were b lists because they’d never be on a list at all!

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Exactly! I didn't want to ask people who might get offended that I'm only inviting them because someone else declined.

As long as you're not going into it with tiered invites, or trying to hide it, or doing it for the gifts, I think it's fine.

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Nope, just filling up seats (and bellies with wedding food). Someone might as well enjoy it.

You know, there's a story like this in the Bible, and in the story, when the wedding guests don't show up, the host goes out into the street and invites random people in.

I'm keeping that idea in the back of my mind, just in case, and I'm only half-kidding! I would consider going to a local homeless shelter and inviting a few guests (vetted by the shelter) who would really appreciate a nice fancy dinner.

Most people here aren't a fan of B listing. It kinda tells people their relative importance in your life, doesn't it?

If your friends and family are OK with it, then I'm glad you found a solution that worked. I wouldn't want to receive a late invite to someone's wedding just to fill tables, although of course I wouldn't tell the couple that it bothered me.

This is B-listing and no one is going to tell you to your face if they are offended. It's still rude.

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Or maybe I'm the unkind person here... but have you asked your daughter if she would be OK with it? I don't think I'd want complete strangers at my wedding. I could see boxing up the food and gifting it to people but not actually having them at my wedding.

View Quoted Comment Well if you’re unkind, then I am too. No way this would fly with me. Boxing up extra good to donate? Absolutely, good idea. Inviting strangers? No.

@GoodMOB, keep in mind, this is your daughter’s wedding. Not yours.

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I knew there would be some people who wouldn't approve. But oh well, to each there own. I'm rude I guess. I suppose my only justification, if it is one, is that the people that I'm inviting in place (B-list) are people that I know, but are more close to the wedding party than to myself. My sister, for one, would love to have her friends there.

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I really think this is taking a biblical story a little too literally. It should be used to inspire good deeds not repeat them verbatim. Also asking a homeless shelters to "screen" those who come there for help to find the ones "worthy" of being at your event kind of negates the generosity. What makes one person more deserving of a hot meal over another?

View Quoted Comment Here's where it's a little different for her: these people already knew they weren't invited. If she was talking about sending out a second round of invites after having people RSVP no, I'd take your side completely. If, on the other hand, FB's old bar friends know you're having a smaller wedding and that, while you love them, they didn't make the cut and then get a phone call to come by, it doesn't feel the same. In fact, you feel a little special. Seriously, I've gotten both of those invitations and one felt slimey while the other was joyful.

View Quoted Comment I agree with you. I also think people know if their guest would be offended or not, and the OP is making sure she isn't offending anyone. Besides, no one wants to pay for an extra 7 meals that guests aren't eating. I am with the OP, fill up bellies!
I also wouldn't be complaining if my sister's friend, who I am not close with, all of a sudden had extra seats and my sister was like, hey, want to join us?

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I can see your point. I don't know... we got invited three days before my fiance's ex girlfriend's wedding, and it felt icky to me. I honestly felt like they were just trying to get a gift out of us. Of course, it was also an invitation to just the dance, not to the dinner (sadly this is much more common in my area than it seems to be in the US). While we are friendly with his ex, I was offended at the invitation. Not that we expected to be invited to their wedding, and they aren't invited to ours... but it felt gift grabby.

Just out of curiosity, did you buy a gift when you were a late invite?

View Quoted Comment It’s not considered B-listing when it’s people who clearly wouldn’t have been invited to the wedding, on any list, in the first place. A sister’s friend or bridesmaid’s parents would obviously know and understand that a verbal invitation two weeks before the wedding is to fill a seat in exchange for a free meal.
You’re not being rude. The food’s already paid for, and I’m sure your sister and bridesmaid will enjoy having their loved ones there. You also mentioned that you’re not doing it for the gifts (they likely won’t bring gifts), and that’s really what most people are looking for when they B-list.
If these were friends of yours that you were inviting at the last minute, and trying to disguise that it was just to fill seats, I’d tend to agree with PP. But the situation is blatantly obvious to everyone involved, and if they’re happy to come then that works out well for all of you.

View Quoted Comment Ooh, yuck! The last minute invite should always come with the instruction to not bring a gift! I do generally bring or send something later, but the host has always specified that it wasn't necessary and to just come and have fun.