Not inviting all family members in the same generation

Big families, I tell ya!
My brother has six children. They are all adults, married, and have two, three and four children.
That’s over 30 people just from him. I’m not inviting any of them - but I AM inviting my sister two sons and tbeir (small) families. I spent a lot of time with my nephews - I was 10 and 15 when they were born - and have not seen any of my nieces in 20 years, and never met their kids. I talked with him about it and he laughed “I never invite them anywhere, there’s too many!”

Only invite those you can’t imagine the day without. You can have a reunion picnic with everyone at another time. Anyone who is an obligatory invite to please parents is an automatic cut from the list.

I’m a firm believer in inviting on this people that YOU and your fiancé can’t imagine not being there to celebrate with you. We had more friends than family at our wedding and while some people were upset we had decided it was OUR day. Do what makes you happy!!

If you don't specifically want them there, don't invite them. It's absolutely fine to not invite everyone from the same generation, especially if you don't like, know, or get along with all of them. There were plenty of half- or step- aunts or uncles on my dad's side that I didn't invite because I had either never met them, or the last time I interacted with them was over 10 years ago and I just don't really have a relationship with them anymore.

Hello Jess:
I agree with everyone, only invite people you can’t imagine the big day without.
We are in the same boat: my mom has ... 11 siblings (+ 9 spouses), my dad has 6 (+4 spouses), I'm only inviting 11 out of 17 aunt/uncles + the spouses) . Those I haven't seen in 3+ years, those I don't feel comfortable around and those I have a rocky relationship with, are not invited.

We are not inviting all of our cousins either, based on the same rules.There's nothing wrong with your reasoning.

Sure! For my first wedding I only invited two of my five cousins. And for this wedding only those two cousins are getting invited again haha. I invited my aunts and uncle and they had no issue with their kids not being invited. Only invite people you can’t imagine your day without.

This depends on the family. If you don't see them often, I think it's fine to only invite the people you are close with. If you come from a big close knit family like my FH and you all get together very often, this very well could cause problems that you don't want to deal with.


I think for the great generation you can always just invite the people you are close with. For uncles, aunts, and cousins--you know your family better than we do, use your judgment

My SIL did something like this for her wedding! They only wanted to have about 40-50 people total, so they narrowed it down to each person inviting 20-25 people. You shouldn't feel you have to invite anyone you aren't comfortable being around or someone you don't really speak to. Only invite the people you really want there!