Your Civil Partnership Guest List

This month I wanted to share with you some advice for creating a guest list for your civil partnership.

Planning who to invite for a wedding may cause headaches but for a civil partnership it can also cause heartache. You see for many reasons those closest to you may not share your joy at the prospect of you formalising your relationship. There may be equality under the law, but this highly charged emotional event can bring to the surface all manner of tensions from friends and family. So, who do you invite and where do you start? Many people start with what they think is a simple list of family and friends and, before they know it, they’re inviting the world and his husband and half the office! It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that just because you must invite Uncle Fred and his boring wife, then of course you must invite Auntie Jean and her narrow minded husband….just because they’re family! This is where I say STOP! Take a deep breath, sit down as a couple and use this very easy three step method as one of the best ways to help you formulate your perfect guest list.

One:

• Parents
• Brothers & Sisters
• Grandparents
• Closest Friends

These are the most important and closest people to you and therefore need to be at the top of your guest list.

Two:

• Other Family Members
• Good Friends
• Long Standing Work Colleagues

Also importantly, these are the people who you want to include in your special day. Some family members may not necessarily be too keen on the idea, but then again they may be overjoyed. Be gracious by giving them the chance to say yes or no and, whatever the reaction, it will show that you have made an effort by including them.

Three:

• Distant Family
• Long Lost Friends
• New Work Colleagues
• Acquaintances

These are people who you would normally invite to the evening celebrations. It’s nice to include them and shows generosity of spirit, BUT you shouldn't feel that you have to invite them. This third category is the one most susceptible to cut backs, usually because of budget.

So in an effort to remain calm, remember keep it simple, use these three steps and substitute best friends for family wherever necessary. This is your big day and you should be surrounded by the most important and wonderful people in your life.

Article by London Based Wedding Planner Lester Gethings

Image Courtesy of Bossip

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