I am having a destination wedding. I am inviting all my aunts and uncles and not my cousins to the wedding as budget and the venue does not allow for a bigger guest list. I have 27 first cousins on one side of the family alone and many of them are married/engaged/in a serious relationship. My mom has just told me that some of my cousins plan on coming with their parents to my wedding location to vacation. I feel bad having my cousins sitting at the hotel while we are out celebrating, especially since they have come all that way. What to do? I absoluetely cannot have them for the dinner, as there is not enough space. My fiance and I have already considered setting up a tent outside of the gazebo (where the meal will be served) for the dancing portion. There will be the DJ, some tables & chairs, and lighting in there. Would it be kosher to just extend to invite for the reception sans dinner so that they are not sitting at their hotel alone? However, I do not want to encourage all my cousins to make the trip out! My cousins are mostly adults or teenagers with the exception of a couple.
