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Dear WTS,

My Mother wants me to invite 50 people from her office to my wedding. I don't know any of these people but she insists they must be invited. My fiancé and I are paying for the entire Wedding. We just can't afford the extra costs. Do I have to accommodate my Mother?

Signed,
Crazy in Boston, MA

Answer from "Ask the Expert"

Greetings,

The simple answer is NO you do not have to accommodate your Mother in this case. The more complicated answer is NO you do not have to accommodate your Mother, but you do have to tell her no, nicely. No matter her reasons for making this request, she is still your Mother.

I suggest you calmly explain to her that you appreciate that she is so proud of you that she wants everyone she know to see you marry. However you can't accommodate her request. You and your financé need to keep the cost of the wedding under control and adding any extra guests is just not possible.

If she offers to pay for her guests, again calmly tell her that you want an intimate gathering of your close friends and family—her office friends are neither.

Regards,
WTS Wedding & Event Expert,
Gwen Helbush