The Guest List: Round 1

We started working on our respective guest lists recently. So far, we are realizing how impractical it is going to be for many of our guests to make it to our wedding. I have the benefit of working for a small store, so I'm very close with most of my coworkers, and it's just impractical to think that I can invite everyone...after all, who would run the store? Fortunately, we are hiring before my wedding, so I'm hoping I just don't become good friends with the new hires.

Which brings about an interesting question: How do you decide who to invite? Nate and I are lucky enough to have a relatively small invitation base, due to being from small families and having only a few dear friends we want to share our day with; but I can't help but wonder, what about those people who are friends with half of the known world?

We do have a dilemma within our comparatively easy situation, though. As of right now, his brother and father are feuding. Nate is not a part of the fight, and is struggling quite a bit to maintain neutral without isolating everyone. Of course I want his family to be at our wedding, especially since we all get along so well.

But how should we deal if this rift between his father and brother doesn't heal? What would that mean for us? I realize how selfish that sounds, but we want our whole family to celebrate with us. I suppose we could seat them apart from each other, and I know for our sakes they'd all still come and play nice, but I hate putting people in situations I know make them unhappy or uncomfortable if it isn't necessary.

Anyone out there have any advice for me this time around? It seems like this is one thing I just can't figure out myself.