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Original poster

To feel that I can’t get married…

283 replies

weddingembarrassment · 14/07/2026 22:13

…because it will be embarrassing to not have many guests to invite?

Long story ss short as possible. DP & I have been engaged for 2 years now. I desperately want to plan our wedding but I’ve been putting it off because (this may sound silly), between us we don’t have many people to invite, and I feel embarrassed about this.

I have the following people to invite: my Dad & his partner, sister and BIL & her 3 kids, my other sister (single, no kids), 2 half siblings (both single), adult daughter & her boyfriend, daughter’s best friend, and 4 friends at most (plus their partners). That is the extent of the guest list on my side. Anyone else would be an acquaintance at best and I’d likely invite around 10-15 extra to the night do, but these would fall under the category of acquaintance rather than close friends to invite to the ceremony and the meal.

My fiancé has his parents, and two close friends (one of whom would be his best man). He does have a slightly wider friendship circle than I do - he has hobbies etc and knows more people through his job, so I imagine he could generate a list of approximately 15-20 night time guests.

Can we have a wedding with these small numbers, or would that be totally embarrassing?!

I really want to be able to call him my husband, but I’m so worried about how ridiculous it will look to not be able to fill more than 2-3 tables 😢

Has anyone had a small wedding like this? Was it OK?

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 14/07/2026 22:19

That sounds like a lovely wedding!

Ramblingaway · 14/07/2026 22:17

It sounds perfect to me. With smaller numbers you can have nicer food, splurge in the booze or whatever. Or just make some of your evening guests into all day guests. My wedding was about 60 guests and I hardly got to speak to some people. Enjoy your time with your special people ❤

TheChosenTwo · 14/07/2026 22:17

You can get married guestless (with the exception of witnesses) or with a thousand guests, your wedding can be whatever you plan it to be.

Original poster
weddingembarrassment · 14/07/2026 22:17

I do understand the numbers aren’t important really, but I can’t get past this sense of embarrassment that it will look like we have no friends. I don’t know why I can’t get past this tbh. I love DP and want so much to be able to call him my husband, I hate that this is a barrier for me 😢

OP posts:
Senparentingonandon · 14/07/2026 22:16

Of course you can. One of the loveliest weddings I’ve been to had 30 people.

Ibi · 14/07/2026 22:16

You can get married without inviting anyone. We did. We did it just the two of us. If being married is the most important thing for you, just do that. If you want family and friends, then invite them. It doesn’t matter if you have 5 guests or 500. There isn’t a hierarchy of weddings, 5 is no better or worse than 500. I’ve been to both ends of the scale and have enjoyed every one I have been to.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 14/07/2026 22:15

Is it a wedding or an opening night?

The numbers REALLY aren’t important.

caefe · 14/07/2026 22:14

I only had 2 people at my wedding.