Aunts, yes! Ants, no!

When I first got engaged (after the squealing and the phone calling and the near-car-accidents-while-staring-at-the-sparkly-ring-on-my-finger) my first order of business was to buy as many wedding books and magazines as I could find. Then, after poring over their carefully constructed "to-do" lists, I embarked on the task that they all agreed was paramount:

The. Guest. List.

I say that with a note of fear in my voice because - though we've been engaged since February of 2008 - it's a task that was only completed last month. Why, a curious member of the hive might ask? Easy. Revisions, revisions, revisions. Do we invite acquaintances? Stepfamilies? Dates? Kids? Every book has its own rules about what's "proper" and what is dictated by the finer rules of etiquette. Turns out that the finer rules of etiquette, while designed to make the guest feel comfortable, make the hosts feel like they're going crazy! So, throwing caution to the wind, we established a compromise for our very large and blended family full of step-somethings and half-others: a picnic.

Picnic? Red checkered tablecloths, bottles of ice-cold beer, and hot dog buns laying around? Doesn't sound like this girl's vision of her perfect wedding, right? Absolutely. But from the very start we've agreed that this isn't a day about just the bride - it's a day to celebrate both of us, where we've been, where we are, and where we'll be. And in that spirit we're hosting a wedding WEEKEND, full of the formal pomp and circumstance of the bride's dream wedding and also the casual relaxation of the groom's. Hence this picnic. Now titled "The Groom's Wedding" among family members, it will take place the day after the wedding (on the 4th of July!) in lieu of a traditional morning-after brunch. Anyone and everyone will be invited to celebrate the holiday, take a turn at flipping burgers (veggie and otherwise!) and spend quality time with the new Mr. and Mrs! This will also give us the opportunity to involve all of those B and C guest list members in some aspect of the wedding weekend, allowing them (and us!) to enjoy the company of family and friends.

Have you done anything a little "outside of the box" to accomodate a big guest list?