Do you have an obligation to invite your boss or coworkers to your wedding?
Sure, you’re an awesome employee, but does that mean you also have to formally invite them to your nuptials?
You may be wondering this question when you’re planning the guest list. Perhaps you have a few co-workers you like hanging out with outside of the office, and you feel guilty about not inviting your boss to the wedding along with them.
Bride-to-be, Nora, wonders this question about whether she has to invite her boss to her wedding and writes to us,
“Hi Emmaline! I’m wondering what the proper etiquette is for inviting my boss to my wedding. I am inviting one of my closest coworkers to my wedding, and that’s it. But now I’m wondering if there is a rule about whether to invite my boss to my wedding and if I have to invite all of my coworkers (or is it OK to invite only some coworkers to my wedding)?”
Hi Nora! Great questions. Let’s talk about the etiquette of inviting work friends including coworkers and your boss to your wedding.
Should I invite my boss to my wedding?
According to proper etiquette, there is no rule that states you must invite your boss to your wedding. Similarly, there’s no rule about inviting coworkers or your employees, either.
As a rule of thumb, if you consider him or her a friend outside of work, and your guest list allows, you can invite them and a plus-one as guests at your wedding. It is nice to do so if you genuinely like the person and wish for them to be a part of your celebration.
On the other hand, if you only socialize at work and it doesn’t feel appropriate to invite someone as a guest, it is okay to forgo a formal invitation.
Inviting only some coworkers to your wedding
If you are able to invite a few coworkers, you should only discuss wedding details during work in front of those who are going to receive a formal invitation. I recommend keeping specifics to yourself if you are not inviting everyone, simply because it is impolite to do so.
If your budget allows, and you wish to invite all of your coworkers, you may do so but you are under no obligation to do so.
Do you invite a plus-one for coworkers?
Ah, plus-ones: according to wedding etiquette, you should include a plus-one for your coworkers.
When You Can’t Invite Coworkers to Your Wedding
If you want to invite your colleagues or coworkers to your wedding but cannot, due to budget or other reasons, it is OK to let them know. Inform them of your limited budget or if you have space restrictions. It is probably best not to discuss the wedding nonstop at work, particularly if they are not invited because it is not proper.
I hope it helps! Thanks for writing!
xo
Emma
