Unwanted wedding guests are very common. They come in many types, from the unexpected “plus ones” and children of guests to people who are staffing the wedding that want to take advantage of the buffet or bar. Here’s some tips for dealing with them so you can continue to enjoy your special day without worrying too much about these unwanted guests.

Prepare in Advance

There are many important steps you can take to help prepare for unwanted guests. First, account for extra people in your food and drink orders. There are always likely to be a few that will show up uninvited, forget to RSVP, or think about bringing a friend at the last minute, and you want to make sure you will have enough for everyone who needs it. Also, make sure you give clear expectations on your invitations. If you are not allowing casual dates and boyfriends, make it clear that only fiancés and spouses are invited. Also make it clear if children aren’t welcome. Make sure your contract with any vendors specifies that they are not to participate in the wedding reception.

And remember, many people will consider an announcement to be an invitation. Put off announcing your wedding publicly until after the ceremony. If you do feel the urge to announce your wedding beforehand, don’t give enough details to make it easy for crashers to arrive.

Designate Handlers

Next, make sure you have someone prepared to handle any unwelcome guests. Have someone who is good with children ready to keep kids entertained and out of the way during the reception. For genuine party crashers, have someone who can be coolheaded but firm be prepared to encourage them to leave. Always remember to check with your partner and both sets of parents before asking someone to leave—they may be invited guests that just aren’t familiar to you.

Don’t Let It Bother You

There is very little an unwanted guest can do that will have a serious impact on your wedding. However, if you get upset, your whole day may be ruined. Don’t let this happen. Keep your cool and don’t think about unwanted guests. Just focus on the people you wanted to be there, and be happy that they came.

At Stonebrook Manor, we have experience dealing with many unexpected wedding situations. We can help you get ready for the best day of your life. Please contact us today to meet our wedding planning team and get a tour of our facilities in north Denver.