Cousins partners at wedding

[Iwishikneweverything]

My sister is having a very small wedding. 20 people. Just close family and a few close friends. She wants to invite our cousins but not their partners as she doesn’t know them. Neither do I. What would you do. It would add 5 more people to the guest list. She doesn’t want to offend anyone but doesn’t want strangers at her wedding. I’m sure they will be annoyed.

Depends, long term partners or husbands/wives yes. 18 year old cousin's latest girlfriend no.
Unless they really can't afford it , it's only a few people more

I'd be sucking this up for the sake of 5 extra people.

If partner means long term, married, living together, or otherwise a complete unit but definite by their own rules, then do not invite one without the other.

If partner means someone they happen to be dating, then there is no obligation to invite casual relationships to weddings.

I don't think there's anything wrong with what your sister did!

I wouldn't want to invite people I don't know, to an expensive event. Should I ever get married, no partners will be invited!

I think if you're that bothered by strangers attending your wedding you're better off doing a really small 2 witnesses type event. It gets too complicated when there's more guests and you'll end up offending someone.