About my ds's christening invites....

[Moulesfrites]

so it is my ds' christening in a couple of weeks. We sent out invitations ages ago, with an RSVP by date on. The date came and went so yesterday I text those people who hadn't yet replied and asked them again, as we need to confirm numbers with the caterers as we are paying per head.

I have been shocked at some people asking if they can bring others along who are not invited! For example, my auntie has asked if my two teenage cousins can bring their boyfriends, who I have met once before. Similarly, my uncle has told my grandad, not me, that his two teenage step sons will be bringing their girlfriends, and one of my colleagues has informed me that her 19 year old and 15 yer old daughters can't wait to come, even though they weren't invited. Tbf, I had invited the children of other colleagues, as they are babies and toddlers - I did not think her teenagers would be interested in coming to their mum's colleagues's baby's christening!

This means there are an extra 6 people coming who we will have to cater for, none of whom we really know at all! Aibu to be annoyed by this? But whaton eart do I do/ say?

I think a church christening service is open to anyone who wishes to go to church that day. If you really don't have space at home for the lunch afterwards, then you're entitled to say so, but usually I'd try to accommodate the extra guests and be pleased they wanted to come, rather than exclude them

A "compromise" would be to encourage them to come along to the service but apologise you don't have space for them at your house afterwards

So a couple of family members want to bring partners, and a colleague has assumed her kids are invited because other colleagues kid are invited? I think you're being extremely precious. A christening is usually quite a casual do, where people bring partners/children etc. Are you honestly having a sit down meal?

Madamecastafiore- have none of the married couples split? I know plenty that have. My aunt on the other hand has been with her other half for over 30 years. (Long enough for me to call him uncle!) Would he not have been welcome if she was a guest at your wedding?

Moomaa I'm with you in the minority, although probably because I have such a crap social life that I would be thrilled if my DC's christening was gatecrashed

i think people just assume this is a family type event therefore their families are included with their invitation.

once you explain it is a per head payment event i am sure they will realise their mistake.

YANBU - if you don't want them you shouldn't feel pressurised that they come. I say this as mother of a pnb whose christening is coming up soon and is organised to be as small an event as possible - as in we arn't even inviting all my family. MIL managed to invite her friend to it though - someone I've only met twice and has never met DD. I was too weak willed .