When it comes to the guest list, it is really a headache to try to limit the guests to 4-500, here everyone is expected to be invited. Weddings and deaths, then you expect to meet the whole family. It is also not common to invite someone only for coffee and cakes, but it is okay to invite only for the wedding day and not the rest of the 3-4 celebrations. With time constraints and many activities, only 1-2 guests from each household go if it is not the closest family and good friends.
The image is taken from pinterest.
A lot of care is put into the invitation as well, what color the invitation should have. Not least what should be written there. Even though grandparents have passed away, they are mentioned, meaning it is written in parentheses (grandchild of Shri XX) where Shri=Mr and Shrimati=Mrs.
A box or cloth bag of barfi , laddo , almonds or cashew nuts is sent with the invitation. The invitation is often divided into several sheets or sub-cards, one for each ceremony.
When inviting, it is best for the parents to deliver the card personally and not something that is just sent in the mail. This is only accepted if it is far away, other cities and abroad. The finstasen is supposed to be on when the invitation is delivered and in fact the groom or bride is not involved in it!
The guest lists have become smaller over time than when my parents got married, but from a Norwegian perspective, they are still very large weddings. The norm is around 4-500 guests.
The image is taken from pinterest.
The first invitation is usually sent to the nearest temple or if you have a guru/priest who is important to the family. The next card goes to the maternal family, because the uncle has a central role in the ceremonies. The in-laws of the person getting married are also invited specifically, regardless of whether they are helping to cover the cost or not. After that, the rest of the cards can be distributed.