Maine & NH Wedding Photographer //The Guest List Dilemma: Why You Should Only Invite the MVPs

Let’s be real—wedding guest lists can be a nightmare. You start with a tight, meaningful list of your favorite people, and suddenly, your mom is suggesting you invite your second cousin’s ex-boyfriend’s aunt. And before you know it, you’re staring at a sea of names, wondering why half these people are even on your list.

Here’s the truth: if you didn’t want to invite them in the first place, there’s probably a good reason. And if you ignore that gut feeling? Buckle up, because wedding day drama is coming.

The Drama-Magnet Guests: You Know Who They Are

I’ve seen it all—the family member who complains to the bride on her actual wedding day, the guest who makes everything about them, the distant relative who hasn’t spoken to you in a decade but suddenly needs to be at your wedding. These people don’t add to the experience—they drain it.

And here’s the kicker: if they made your life difficult before, they’re not going to magically change just because you’re wearing a wedding dress.

Quality Over Quantity

Your wedding isn’t a high school reunion. It’s not a networking event. It’s a celebration of your love, with the people who actually bring joy into your life. If you invite everyone in your family out of obligation, you’ll spend the whole night trying to have meaningless small talk instead of actually enjoying your wedding.

Instead, focus on the VIPs—the people who love you, support you, and won’t complain about the seating chart or dinner. When you keep your guest list intentional, you actually get to spend time with the people who matter. No stress, no forced conversations, no energy vampires.

Give Yourself Permission to Say No

If the thought of inviting someone makes you cringe, that’s your answer. You don’t have to invite every relative just because they share a few strands of DNA with you. You don’t owe anyone an invite, and you definitely don’t need to justify your choices.

At the end of the day, your wedding should be filled with love, laughter, and people who actually deserve a seat at the table. Cut the dead weight, invite your ride-or-dies, and enjoy your day drama-free.