We are starting to plan our wedding and the guest list is really beginning to upset me for a few reasons.

Reason #1. The whole family.

My fiancé thinks it's okay to invite his entire family (comes from a very large European family but here is the kicker) even though he doesn't talk to all of them.

Now I respect and understand that family is very important. But what I do not understand is why one needs to invite for example an aunt who he has not seen or spoken to since 2006. Or a cousin, wife, and four kids who live around the corner but hasn't seen or spoken to in 4 years. Just because they are related to you doesn't always mean you have to invite them. He disagrees and says "I have to invite my family".

Reason #2. I can't make my list any shorter.

When we started planning our wedding, he said his parents cannot contribute financially in any way. Fine. I get that weddings are expensive and not everyone can help out. No offense taken! The issue is both he and his family are adding names to the guest list (it isn't final yet we are still in the rough draft stage) like it's free or like they are contributing to the expense of a wedding. We have a small venue which my parents paid for 100% and I have already made cuts to my side of the guest list. But he "cannot take any more people off of his list because they're all important to him." Now my guests are important too. And I did have to make some cuts - even of people I love like crazy. But he just can't do the same. For the record, my list went from 47 to 23. His list went from 56 to 54. And the venue holds 50 people.( And no. Not changing the venue! )

Reason #3. I can't invite my friends but you can.

My guest list includes my bridal party (like my bridesmaids, MOH, flower girl) none of these girls are my flesh and blood but to me, they are family and have been there for me through so much. My fiancé is bothered that I'm able to invite friends and has said about himself "I can't even invite my friends to our wedding - don't you think they are important to me too?"

I told him that he could just not invite the family members that he doesn't have a relationship with ans invite his friends who he feels are like family. He disagrees and says he should be allowed to have both. For me, I have a cousin I'm not close with. So I'm inviting her. I dont hate her, we just aren't close!

Reason #4. Kids

I don't hate kids. But I do not want an army of small children in attendance. Sorry if this is rude, but there are a lot of small kids on his side. And they are the same cost per head as an adult. Kids will quickly take up the few spots that we have for the wedding. Especially extended family and the kids of the kids! There is one group of family members that I will use as the example. His cousin is married and they share 4 kids and one kid has a kid and a fiancee. So I think we should just invite the married adults instead of the whole group of 8! Please remember our limit is 50 - and this isn't the only large group of family either.

Am I wrong here? I'm getting annoyed by this all. I think its rude that his family isn't helping pay for anything and believes I'm the bad guy for saying not everyone can attend. I think it is unnecessary to invite people you don't talk to or have a relationship with. And that group of 100 little kids between the ages of boob fed and 12 won't lose sleep if they aren't at a wedding.