Wedding Etiquette Forum

Adding invites after STD sent out... FMIL issue...

Help! I am strongly against the "B list" for many reasons! We have been engaged since November 2013 (wedding is October 11, 2014) and asked our families to give us their lists prior to sending out save the dates. My parents (note: they are hosting and paying for most everything) provided a list within a week of us asking, so did FI father and stepmother. It felt like pulling teeth trying to get a final list from FI mother and step father, pretty much a week before STD went out. I stated more than once that once the STD were out, that the list was set, no adding since there was no subtracting anyone. We are maxed ou as far as invited guests and reception location maximum. We chose a location that was very budget friendly, but still nice, so we could invite more friends since both our families are large.

Here's the dilemma... FMIL mentioned to me yesterday that X and Y can't make it. Then right away said something along the lines of, "I'll have to think of who to add in their place. But we'll do that later." (FI little brother, son of FMIL, is getting married this weekend, so we've all been busy!) I didn't say anything as she became side tracked and we started talking about something for this weekend. Should I be a little upset/annoyed that she thinks we need to add someone else in their place, after the list has already been decided and save the dates out? I've never heard of needing to do such a thing, and I don't think it's right at all. I don't want any sort of B list because they are extremely rude and tacky. My parents are upset that she thinks she can just add people after the fact like this and told me that she needs to talk to them about any additions. They are doing that so I don't have to worry about any issues that may come up.

Any thoughts??

Re: Adding invites after STD sent out... FMIL issue...

  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    edited July 2014
    STD are not required nor do you have to give everyone on the list one.   So as long as the invites haven't gone out you are not "B-Listing" them.    B-listing would be if you sent out an invite AFTER you received a decline from someone else.

    Now everyone who gets an STD must get an invite, even if they verbally told a 3rd party they are unable to attend.   Plans change so now they might not be able to, but in Sept find out they can.


    Adding people to the list is a different topic.  My MIL was reasonable, we had the space and budget, so I didn't mind her last minutes invites.  Others are not so lucky with their in-laws or in the space and budget category.   






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    If she doesn't have access to invitations, then she can't add any guests. If she asks again, simply remind her, or have FI remind her, "FMIL, as we stated from the start, once STD's were sent, there would be no changes to the guest list." Then change the subject.
  • Most brides do not send STDs to everyone on their list.  STDs are not invitations.  They are simply an alert that an invitation is coming later.  This is why you absolutely MUST send a formal invitation to everyone to whom you sent STDs. 
    The reverse is not true.  As long as you mail all the formal invitations at the same time, you are not B listing anyone.  STDs are completely optional, and many brides don't even use them at all.  Whether or not you invite someone is up to you.
    Once the invitations have been mailed, to send some three or four weeks later would be rude. 
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  • Thanks lyndausvi, that's my thought exactly, plans can change, and I don't want to over extend the list. We are definitely over on our numbers, and budget slightly, so if X and Y end up able to attend, I don't want to be screwed! I love my FMIL, but I feel like she's always trying to make events, parties, etc about her and can be slightly self centered. This is why I feel she's trying to "fill up" her invite quota. Spoiler alert, there's no invite quota she needs to fill haha.

    Although it's just one additional couple, I feel like if I let her do it this first time, she'll think it's okay to keep adding more as she (the 3rd party) finds out more people can't attend. As my mother says, Nip it in the bud and as she quotes Dr. Phil "you teach people how to treat you "
  • Thank you, Cmgragain, true, STD are not invitations. I just don't want a snowball effect of her adding more people at her leisure, especially after tell her that after STD were sent, we were done with the list. You know? It's not the biggest deal, but I feel it's rude for her to keep adding people after I (politely) gave her ample time and warning as to when we needed their list.
  • MobKaz said:

    If she doesn't have access to invitations, then she can't add any guests. If she asks again, simply remind her, or have FI remind her, "FMIL, as we stated from the start, once STD's were sent, there would be no changes to the guest list." Then change the subject.

    Yes, this! Just simple and be done with it. Always easier when not in the moment, but I will try my darnedest. That's also why my mother told me to have FMIL talk to her about any additions, as my parents are "sending" out the invites. They've always been willing to be my scapegoat with touchy situations.
  • You or your parents should not be scapegoats in touchy situations.  Your FI should be the one to tell his mom anything when her requests cannot be accommodated.  So your FI should be telling FMIL that the guest list is set and no changes can be made at this time.
  • I'm confident that people won't ask around at the wedding and find out who got an STD card and who didn't.  No biggie.  As for replacing people, I was just happy when I got "no" RSVPs because it brought my cost down!  I did replace one--a cousin who met a guy she liked right before the wedding, so gave her a plus one--but otherwise, that's one less guest to pay for.  She sounds like she'll try to add people up until the wedding, so keep an eye on her.  
  • As @CMGragain said, it's perfectly acceptable to only send STDs to some people, so that's not actually B-listing.

    However, that's the line in the sand you chose to draw with FMIL.  You have good reasons not to add anyone else: not only space and budget, but because you told her there was no more adding and you want to stand your ground.  So, that's plenty of reason IMO to lock down the guest list.

    Make sure she has no access to your physical invitations.  If she verbally invites someone who shouldn't be invited, that's her faux pas and she will have to explain why they didn't get an invite.

    Good luck!  We're not as far along as you but your FMIL sounds like my FMIL. :)  Stay strong.
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    "I'm not a rude bitch.  I'm ten rude bitches in a large coat."

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