Those awkward moments.

I am a shy person and avoid confrontation at all possible costs. I always feel uncomfortable and *too* ready to please when others put me on the spot. Well, boy, I was unprepared for all the awkward and uncomfortable moments that would come along when planning a wedding. I have been put on the spot so far for and about the following reasons:
1. Where is my ceremony? People have questioned my intentions and reasons for what I want and where I am choosing to have my wedding ceremony. It finally just came down to Mike and I having a frank discussion and just deciding and then letting people (only the need-to-know people) what our choice was. The others will find out when and if they are invited. Please dont ask or question a bride's decision on this as it is more difficult than you may assume or realize.
2. Why am I not a bridesmaid? Why are you having such a small wedding party? Why aren't you including so and so? This has been a rather difficult question. We are keeping the wedding party small so as to save on $ and to keep it simple. We want a small intimate wedding with those we love. The more people invited to be a wedding party member would mean the less people that are actually guests (there are not many) Plus, we both didnt have an equal amount of close friends and/or family that we wanted to have standing with us. That is why we both chose ONE person whom we felt most close to and that was that. People are becoming offended or hurt by this but they need to understand, its not their wedding. If they choose to add more people at their own wedding due to pressure from family members, than truthfully, I am sorry. But I refuse to change my positioning on this and do feel bad for those left out but hey this isnt a popularity contest. If for some reason you were under some other kind of impression because of some casual remark made one time 3 years ago, well, again, sorry.
3. Am I invited? Can I invite my cousins boyfriend's sister? Why cant we include so and so on the wedding list? Ugh. If I know you, love you, feel close to you or you are close family, than your most likely invited. If you have been dating the person I know and am inviting for more than a year, your invited.  But honestly, I dont want to turn around on my own wedding day and wonder who the heck you are. And I'd rather not turn to my husband and ask who the person is and have him have no clue either. I would like to know who you are when I write my thank you cards! Plus, I really have this vision of a small family wedding. So please, dont ask or assume your invited. This isnt the VIP party of the year but please, its my VIP day and I'd rather not feel awkward when you put me on the spot asking me whether you are invited.
4. Oh, why are you having your wedding there, why dont you have it at XYZ location. Um, I have made my choice and rather not here about your great experience at your cousins/sisters/friends wedding location just because you think its better than my choice. I cannot tell you how often I have sat through this conversation! When I ask all of these people majority have never even been to or had a wedding at my location. How can you honestly judge?