Guest assumes they can bring someone

You should be confident, you have every right to feel what you are feeling! I agree that no one wants to go on vacation alone BUT there is no reason to pay for a "plus one" especially if the couple doesn't know them. On our website I included a Q&A section and put on there that only those named on the invitation where invited to the wedding events, my guests can chose to bring as many people as they want on their vacation, but those "plus #" will not be attending any events. I think this is a good compromise! It's not a free for all, it's YOUR wedding. Even if money was no issue, it's also about the intimacy of it. I don't want people who barely know us to "celebrate" our union. Stick to your guns!!

Thank you...I am holding firm in my decision and intend to continue to do so. I think part of it is that I am someone whom likes to travel alone and have done so often. Having friends there that I know...I would not consider that to be travelling alone. Even when I was a bridesmaid in a wedding in Jamaica three years ago...I never asked if I could bring a guest. That's just me I guess....

I'm glad for you that you have made your decision and feel good about it. At the end of it all this is your day and I hope it goes fabulously for you!

OMG! I had to laugh b/c this is exactly what I'm worried about!!! I had various family members that had already EMAILED THEIR FRIENDS inviting them to our wedding w/ out my knowledge. Had to send a gentle but firmly worded email explaining the exact cost per guest and the fact that we have excluded our OWN FRIENDS from the invitee list!!! Needless to say, they had to uninvite their friends...

Anyhow, I'm still worried some family will try to slip in some friends so I'm giving the hotel a list of all invited guests. ONLY they will be allowed to benefit from the group rate. Ack, I'm really hoping it doesn't come to this though! Unbelievable!

I really don't understand the nerve of some people! How do you just decide you're going to invite yourself or someone else to a wedding

I did not invite anyone single with guests. Almost all of my single friends know each other and told me right off that they were planning on rooming together. FI and I only wanted people that knew us at our wedding - no strangers unless they were part of a couple (my friend in Portland OR has been dating her boyfriend for a year - he's invited although we never met as they are across the country).

Now his single friend has told him she is bringing her aunt. He knows her aunt pretty well and I have met her once. I'm so tired of being stressed out about little things...at least FI knows her...has been to her house...she seemed really happy for us when i met her...so I'm going to chalk this up to "things i cannot control"...and move on.

I feel the same way... i don't want randoms at our wedding. And I've mentioned to friends that I am trying to keep the number of guests down. but a few still think they are bringing dates! And what's frustrating is that 3 of them are not in relationships currently. Do they think they'll be in love and want to bring a guy down to mexico for a few days 6 months from now? That is crazy to me! I don't want to not include "and guest" on the invite for etiquette reasons, but i do NOT want them to bring a guest!! i hate this.

Glad to see that I am not the only one with this strategy. This has been an unexpected stressful issue and the invites haven't even been sent out yet!!! Goodness knows what "surprises" await us down the road!! LOL

Wow! I completely agree that only the named guests on the invitation should attend. That means if you are not named, you are not invited. My resort is reserving all the rooms for my guests until 6 months before the date. I think I will give them the guest list and tell them not to allow anyone to book a room that is not on it. I also think I will add something to our website in the RSVP area that says "Please do not bring guests that are not specifically named on your invitation as we want an intimate ceremony." Is this way too rude I also have the additional issue that I do not want anyone to bring their kids. If they can't make it without them, then don't come. Now how do I convey that?

I think if you put in the RSVP area that guests not named on the invitation aren't invited, people should assume that means children as well.