Should You Invite Your Ex?

Filed in archive Q&A Archives , Wedding Etiquette on August 13, 2008

I found this interesting question posed recently and this is just one of those situations that crops up for many, many couples. Do you or do you not invite your ex to your wedding?

I can't believe the number of people who even entertain this, especially if there was any drama or ugliness involved in the breakup. Do people who invite their exes do so more out of revenge fantasies than wanting them there to celebrate their happy day? Or, it's fine as long as you're happy and they're miserable as they watch you walk down the aisle.

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Eduardo Jose Bernardino

I'm all for remaining friends after the breakup (I've never tried it, but hear it can be nice!), but still...how does your betrothed feel about your ex sitting there (fuming? pretending to smile while they cry on the inside?) as you two say your "I do's"?

If anyone has had any luck with this - and by luck, I mean your ex showed up and seemed genuinely thrilled for you - I'd love to hear it. Better yet, give us some background on why they're an ex and not your affianced and why you'd want to invite them.