Plain and Simple

Over the past few months, many people have approached me regarding invitations. Mind you, I've been concentrating on the details of the wedding [bridal shower dates, local bachelorette dates, dimensions of card inserts, ribbon textures, matching colors, etc.] that I have not even looked back at our guest list [spreadsheet].

It seems like more than a few people are curious to see if they will be receiving an invitation and those who do, will they be getting a plus one. For those who are not invited, please don't take it personal! Mark and I come from large families and to us, they come first on our guest list. Since we are paying for our wedding ourselves, we decided to keep it under a certain number; of course everyone is welcome to party and celebrate with us during our after party, which will be held immediately following our reception. Music will be played, food will be served, and we will have a cash bar available, not to mention our special guest DJ will be performing a set.

People who will be receiving a plus one are for those who fall into the following criteria:

1. Don't know that many attendees. Reason: we want everyone to have a good time and we don't want people to feel uncomfortable
   
2. Part of the Bridal Party. Reason: because those were the rules we set from the beginning
   
3. Have met and spent time with BOTH me and Mark. Reason: we're sentimental people, if you don't really know one of us, why is it important for you to be at the most important day of our lives?
   
4. In a relationship for 8+months consecutively, that doesn't include breaks in between. Reason: since we will constantly look back at our wedding photos, we don't want pictures with people who will [possibly] break up in the future
5. People who are engaged or married. Reason: self explanatory. They're apart of you, one entity.
6. People we like. Reason: If you fall into number 3 and 4 but we don't like your significant other, you're not getting the plus one.
   

At the end of the day, this is our wedding. We've planned it and we're paying for it. Although, it's unnecessary for me to write or explain myself, I felt like this needed to be said. With the amount of people who have approached me regarding this topic, I felt like this would be easier to read. You'll know if you have a plus one the moment you open your invitation.