DEAR MISS MANNERS: After 22 years together, my “husband” and I are finally getting legally married -- a bit tardy, as same-sex marriage was legalized years ago! We’re neither young nor rolling in cash, so we have a very tight budget and need to keep the guest count on the low side.
I would like to include two or three of my co-workers with whom I’m close, but I’m concerned about other co-workers feeling slighted. How does one manage this kind of situation?
GENTLE READER: A wedding is not (or should not be) a networking event. Therefore, etiquette actively discourages inviting co-workers who are not legitimately friends outside of work.
If those who were not invited are bold enough to ask, you may simply tell them it was a small wedding. But Miss Manners suspects that at least one of them will be relieved at not having to spend Saturday evening pretending to be closer with work acquaintances than is the case.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.