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Think about the last time you were invited to a wedding. You were pretty excited, even if you didn’t know the bride or groom all that well.
What if you’re not invited? This article will look at if it is rude to ask to be invited to a wedding.
Is it Rude to Ask to Be Invited to a Wedding?

It is always impolite to ask to be invited.
Because the couple and their family can only afford to invite a specific number of people, it’s always impolite to ask if someone didn’t intend to invite you in the first place.
If you want to attend the wedding, it is best to wait for an invitation.
What Are Some Reasons Why You Might Not Be Invited to a Wedding
There are a few reasons that someone might not be invited to a wedding.
- One reason is that the couple has a limited number of guests they can pay for, so if someone asks to be invited up to a spot that could have gone to another guest, it may cause some space issues.
- Additionally, the couple may not want children at their wedding, so if the person asking to be invited has children, that could be a reason why they are not requested.
- Finally, the couple may not know the person well enough or may have some conflict with them, which would lead to them not being invited.
While it is always sad to find out you’re not invited to a wedding, it’s important to remember that it is the couple’s day and they can ask whoever they please.
Asking to be invited is never a good idea, so it’s best to accept that you’re not going to be able to attend every wedding you’re invited to.
Why Should You Not Invite Yourself?
It can be tempting to assume that you’ll be invited to a friend’s wedding.
After all, you’ve been friends for years, and you’ve been to their other big life events together.
But even if you’re close, it’s still not polite to invite yourself. Here’s why:
It’s Not Your Wedding
This is probably the most obvious reason. It’s not your wedding, so it’s not up to you who gets invited.
The bride and groom get to decide, and they may have good reasons for not inviting you.
Maybe they’re on budget restrictions and can’t afford to invite everyone they’d like to.
Or maybe they have a small venue and can only accommodate a certain number of people. Whatever the reason, it’s not your place to question their decision or try to change it.
You Could Make the Bride and Groom Feel Awkward
If you’re close enough friends with the bride and groom that you feel comfortable asking to be invited, they may feel awkward.
They may not want to hurt your feelings by saying no, but at the same time, they may not want to invite you because they know it would make you uncomfortable.
It’s better to assume you’re not invited and avoid putting them in an awkward position.
The Couple Desired a Small Wedding
Other couples may want to have a modest wedding with only their immediate relatives present.
This usually indicates you shouldn’t ask for an invitation because you’ll almost certainly be turned down.
It’s nothing personal; they want to keep their wedding small and intimate.
You Might End Up Not Enjoying the Wedding
If you do manage to get yourself invited to the wedding, there’s a chance you might not enjoy it as much as you would have if the bride and groom had invited you.
You’ll know that they didn’t want you there, and it could make the whole experience feel less special.
It’s a Destination Wedding
Asking to be invited to a destination wedding is another level of rudeness.
You are asking the couple to spend money on you, but you’re also asking them to go out of their way to accommodate you.
If they wanted you there, they would have already invited you.
What Is the Etiquette Around Asking to Be Invited to a Wedding?

If you’re not sure whether it’s rude to ask to be invited to a wedding, the best thing to do is err on the side of caution and assume that you’re not invited.
You won’t risk offending the bride and groom or making them feel uncomfortable.
If you are close friends with the couple, you could always ask if they need help with anything leading up to the big day.
That way, you can still be involved without putting them in an awkward position.
And who knows, they may even invite you to the wedding. But if they don’t, don’t take it personally.
They probably have their reasons.
You might also try to involve yourself in the action as a photographer’s assistant so that you have to edit fewer images afterward, for example.
I will be able to capture all the important moments of the day.
This way, you can still play an important role in the wedding without being invited by the couple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Rude to Invite Someone to the Wedding and Not the Reception?
It would be best if you did not even contemplate inviting someone to your ceremony but not to the reception since it would most certainly hurt their feelings.
While there are specific circumstances in which inviting some guests to the ceremony and reception and others to the reception is permissible, you should never do the opposite.
Is It Rude to Go to a Reception but Not a Ceremony?
It would be impolite to merely show up for the reception because of conflicting religious beliefs unless there was an unanticipated reason, such as an emergency.
The wedding is the occasion for the party that follows the ceremony.
Final Thoughts
It’s best not to ask to be invited to a wedding. The bride and groom have the final say on who gets invited, and it’s their day.
Asking them to invite you could make them feel uncomfortable or put them in an awkward position.
Just assume you’re not invited and avoid any potential awkwardness.