M and I have run into a few problems with our guest lists (as most people do) and we seem to have worked them out. BUT just before we sent out our Save the Dates, a few of his father's cousins decided that they needed to be invited to the wedding. M doesn't even know who they are. Inviting them meant that he was going to have to take some people off his list that he sees/talks to on a regular basis or close family. M politely told his father that they were not invited because we don't have room at the venue we already booked. These cousins have made it very clear that they are coming with OR WITHOUT invitations because they haven't seen some of their family in 25+ years, boasting, "This will be a great family reunion!" M is pissed, my family is pissed because they can't afford it and are offended/think it's rude, and I'm really pissed because it is hurting M more than anyone else. He doesn't want to disappoint his dad but he doesn't want to remove people he actually knows either. His mom and dad went through an incredibly bitter divorce, if they show up it may turn into a HUGE disaster and upset his mom....
Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions on how to handle the situation? What should I do if they show up?!