Step 2 : The Guest List

Step 2: 

 
"Define the guest list early. Get going on this sooner than later. For the first draft, just gather all the names and perhaps emails in one location. Excel is a lifesaver to help keep you organized. Here's what you should plug in: how many guests are invited, how many replied, a column for guest names, gifts received, thank-you notes sent, who is invited to the rehearsal dinner, brunch, etc. This spreadsheet will keep your life sane. Well, semi-sane." 

Who to invite ? That is the question. I for one believe that the people who accepted my husband unconditionally would definitely make it to my list. You see, I eloped, and coming from a traditional family where arranged marriages are still observed, that was a capital crime. I know that my family has the best of intentions, they wanted to find a man who could provide security not only to me but for the whole family. I am the eldest of 3, and since my good father left us for another woman ( & another, & another, & another - I lost count) it was my responsibility to take care of the family. I tried, I met a couple of them, ate with them, met their families, dated a few. I could proudly say that almost all the Guys (& their families) approved of me. Thanks but no thanks ! I know, I know, if only I married one of these guys, I would've been rich to my wildest dreams. I'd be a "senorita", big houses, signature everything, top of the line cars etc etc etc. But here I am, living in an old house, trying to make ends meet, dreaming of a wonderful wedding someday SIGH.

SO, the guests would be people who liked my husband even if he's poor, a commoner, a working class.  Somebody who welcomed him in their homes, treated him as family. That wouldn't be so hard, cause frankly that would barely be a handful.

But then, there are "these" people - the influential people, the IN & UP crowd. My husband is in marketing, so he's got to move around the right people otherwise he won't make quota. These people are a lot, although they may not be attached to us emotionally, they mean a lot to our life financially. Yes, yes, it's shameful but true. We have to invite them due to vested interest, so that they will feel bonded to us & continually support my husbands' career. 

Then there's "our friends", the choices would be, his friends, my friends or friends that we made as a couple. Tough decision here. Petty cause it would be awful to invite "friends" who knew our past relationships. They would tend to compare. PARANOID ! LOL 

So, we now go back to who do we invite. Decision : We should, of course definitely invite family - who's been waiting forever for him to marry me in the church. VIPs who would be the ladder to his career & our financial stability. And friends, who knew us as we were growing up, & now knows us as a couple.

Easy enough.