Even if you feel like your family’s, for the most part, normal, there’s nothing like a wedding to make family drama bubble to the surface. And if your family includes, say, half a dozen siblings and parents with several divorces under their belts—Hey, newly engaged Rob Kardashian—you might be tempted to take a pass on the drama and just elope. But if you’d rather have big party than a trip to city hall, you can make it happen with some careful juggling. Here’s how Rob and Blac Chyna—and every couple who’s up against serious family drama—can pull off a traditional wedding.
Your Families Disapprove
YOUR WEDDING: Your sister’s never liked your groom, or his mom wishes he were marrying someone Jewish.
ROB & BLAC CHYNA’S WEDDING: While Blac Chyna’s friends and family are excited (both her mom and BFF have congratulated the couple on social media) Rob’s family (all of his sisters as well as Kris and Caitlyn) has been noticeably silent.
HOW TO DEAL: It’s great if everyone’s as excited as you are, but it’s never a guarantee. If your friends or family are lukewarm about your engagement give them opportunities to get involved in the wedding planning—bring over a bunch of venue brochures or poll them on color palettes—and hope your enthusiasm is contagious. Or, if they need more time to get to know your intended, plan some one-on-one time with individual family members—bring your mom to lunch or have one of his siblings over for dinner. (Resist the urge to kill many birds with one stone by bringing your groom to a huge family gathering, which will just feel intimidating.)
You HAVE to Invite Both Halves of Former Couples
YOUR WEDDING: You’re super-close with your aunt—who’s in the middle of a nasty divorce from your mother’s brother.
ROB & BLAC CHYNA’S WEDDING: Rob’s youngest sister, Kylie, is dating Tyga, the bride’s ex and the father of her child. Rob is also tight with Lamar Odom (sister Khloe’s ex-husband) and Scott Disick (Kourtney's ex and the father of her three kids). Plus, where do Kris, Caitlyn, and Corey Gamble fall on the seating chart?
HOW TO DEAL: Go ahead and invite everyone and trust that they can act like grown-ups. If there’s a particularly bitter couple, talk to them about their plus-one status: If the wound is fresh, ask your uncle not to bring his new girlfriend. Or, if the split is old news, just give both halves the heads up that their ex will be there and whether s/he’s bringing a plus-one.
Must-Attend Guests Don’t Get Along
YOUR WEDDING: You don’t know why your mom’s sisters had a falling out, but you know they haven’t been on speaking terms for years.
ROB & BLAC CHYNA’S WEDDING: Rob’s sister Kim is married to Kanye West, who dated Amber Rose—the bride’s BFF—who had a social media beef with Kanye earlier this year and Khloe Kardashian last winter.
HOW TO DEAL: Again, trust everyone on your guest list to act like grown-ups—but help them avoid each other by seating them as far apart as possible. If you’re worried about certain guests butting heads and won’t have a security detail, a la Rob and Blac Chyna, ask a couple members of your wedding party to run interference if it seems like things are getting heated.
You’re Worried About the Hard Partiers
YOUR WEDDING: You’ve seen your future father-in-law gave many a booze-fueled speech, and your groom’s best man has been known to get sloppy.
ROB & BLAC CHYNA’S WEDDING: Both Scott Disick and Lamar Odom, close friends of Rob’s, have a history of substance abuse.
HOW TO DEAL: Tip off your bartender if you suspect anyone’s going to be hitting the open bar too hard. Give him free reign to serve watered-down drinks—or to cut people off entirely. Also give your DJ or bandleader the short list of people who are allowed to give speeches.