Plus Ones at a covid Wedding

Since your siblings aren't in relationships, I think you're absolutely fine. I'd do the exact same thing if I were in your position

We are doing something similar, if they aren't married or we haven't met the SO at least once then that person isn't getting a plus one. Partly because of COVID but also partly because we can't afford that and a lot of my friends are single so I don't want them bringing some random Tinder date to my wedding lol but what is important is you do you! ESPECIALLY if you guys are the ones paying for it. One of my friends joked about finding a date off Tinder and when I told them there were no plus ones they asked why and I straight up said, are you going to pay for them? Just be firm about it and it will all work out!

As long as those in a relationship, regardless of how long they've been in a relationship, are invited as a social unit, you're definitely not obligated to extend plus ones to the single guests. That's mostly how we're handling it, with only a few exceptions. Those exceptions for us are one friend on my side who would only know me, one on FH's side who would only know him, and one groomsman whose relationship with his long-term girlfriend recently ended because the rest of the wedding party has dates. Singles we've invited who will know other guests were not given a plus one. If those added plus ones will put you over your limit, then absolutely stick to your guns and don't allow them. People will always have their own opinions about your day, but it is YOUR day. Make sure it stays that way.

Plus ones are never a requirement regardless of Covid. But what many do not realize is they are for single guests only. They are not significant others regardless of the time together who are automatic invites.

Contrary to popular belief, single guests do enjoy themselves without dates and they do know other guests in attendance.

Plus with Covid, people are telling their best friends they aren't even invited so a random plus one is an insult.

Honestly, it depends on how restricted you are with guest count. Speaking from experience, this is no fun. For example, if you are limited to 25 people due to COVID restrictions and the choice is either your grandma or your brother's girlfriend, I think you should feel comfortable telling your brother that his girlfriend unfortunately did not make the cut. The "traditional" wedding rules do not apply right now, its like trying to fit a square peg into a circular hole. Hopefully, everyone understands!

The girlfriend should not be told she has to stay home because it's offensive to ask someone to celebrate your relationship while disrespecting theirs. Unless he just met her the day before the invites were sent, the girlfriend is an automatic invite as a significant other social unit. Cut out parents' coworkers instead for example who don't need to be there.

Etiquette is still in place to avoid rude/awkward social situations. A pandemic does not trump that because it should make etiquette even more pertinent/vital.

I don't think you're in the wrong!

My brother is 4 years older than me and as of right now is not getting a plus one because he's not in a relationship. We have over a year until we have to send out invitations, so if something changes he'll get one.

If he isn't in a relationship, I will be inviting his best friend (who is like a brother to me and is actually distantly related to us by marriage which we didn't know for a majority of their friendship lol) but my only reasoning for that is my brother is not as close to the rest of my family as I am (to no fault of his own) and I don't want him to have no one to talk to/hang out with at the wedding, and I am selfishly getting married on his birthday weekend, so he's already a little peeved about that lol

I think you missed the point of my post, obviously if parents' coworkers are still included then siblings' significant others should be included as well. My point was that in circumstances where you are limited to the most basic of people due to government restrictions, like in a circumstance where you are limited to only 25 people, then you are likely limited to only immediate family members and a handful of grandparents and aunts/uncles who have been around your entire life. In theory, the parents' coworkers and many personal friends and family were already cut. A siblings' boyfriend or girlfriend of a year or two would hopefully understand your desire to have a grandparent over themselves attend. Unfortunately, in these situations even the closest of family members may not even be invited due to capacity limits at this time.

There are many posts where one half of a couple, even in Covid, is invited and they decline because they feel disrespected as a couple. You don't have a B list to fill spaces either. You can do anything you wish but be prepared for many potential declines if you do not allow significant others to attend.