We didn’t invite any of our aunts and uncle except for the ones who were closer to the kids. So two of them, neither of which are married. It hadn’t even occurred to me to explain any of this to anyone who may have wondered why they didn’t get an invitation. I remember when we were coming up with our guest list and my in-laws giving me all these names of the great aunts and uncles who they thought for sure needed an invite.

So I just wrote all these names down having no idea who they were. I would know them all now, most of them, any of them who have shown up at any reunions throughout these years. I’ve not met Janet from Ohio or Herbie from Nevada. Any of the ones who didn’t come at least sent us money. Looking back it makes total sense. All of these people were part of the family and inviting extended family to weddings is what you did.

I got the invitation bug at one point and thought of a few more Hoyleton families that I thought should be invited, besides just the one. But I was told no and so was Laura’s mom with various family and church members. I was actually really worried about my dress being too fancy but then Laura’s mom found another dress that is very similar to mine with the lace and sequence so now I have no longer been feeling afraid to wear it.