Is It Ever Okay to Uninvite a Wedding Guest?

If you decide you’d rather only have 150 people instead of 175, frankly that’s just not a good enough reason to commit such a major faux pas. Keep your invite list as is and cross your fingers that you have enough RSVP declines. On the other hand, if you have a major family or financial emergency and need to completely overhaul your wedding plans to be a much smaller event, that is something that friends and family may understand. In such an instance, it is of vital importance to let your original guest list know of the change as soon as possible. Be aware that some people may still be offended no matter how tactful you try to be. 

Unfortunately, there are sometimes instances where the motive for revoking an invitation is not because you eloped instead of having a big wedding, but due to a falling out with someone you once considered close. If you think the relationship is salvageable someday, but you’re just angry in the moment, it is worth trying to reconcile before the big day. Otherwise, the slight of being disinvited may prevent the chance of being able to rebuild the friendship. However, if you know this is a bridge you will not regret burning, then it may actually be better to revoke the invitation than have to fake nice on your wedding day. Of course, depending on the nature of the falling out, the invitee in question may wisely decline to attend anyway. Regardless, the proper thing to do is be direct. As difficult as it may be, it is better to have this conversation in person or over the phone, as an email or text can be misunderstood and spread around to other guests. With any luck, the conversation will be a formality and you can both move on to live your separate lives. 

For more advice, learn how much say your parents should have in the guest list, get tips for attending a destination wedding, and learn the dos and don'ts of planning a rehearsal dinner.