a big ole family tree

Some people are unfazed when they hear about the size of our wedding, while others seem truly shocked. Usually their reaction has to do with whether or not they have a big family.

In case you're wondering how we even know 200 people, let alone how we're related to nearly all of them (and why we've chosen to have a wedding that includes them all!), here's a little glimpse into the types of families we each come from:

• Total living aunts and uncles: 16 (we each have 8)
  
• Total first cousins: 36 (I win this one with 24-- most of whom are married, while Pat has 12-- the oldest is 21.)
  

We each have one side of the family with strong cultural ties (Italian- me, and Portuguese- Pat), which makes for a tight knit clan and extended family members who've touched our lives in significant ways. Beyond the aunts/uncles/cousins, our guest list includes great aunts and uncles, godparents, cousins that are related in less direct ways-- and everyone's spouses.

Maybe now you can begin to imagine how the branches extend from these families.

On top of this there are family friends who may as well be family-- you know, the types you call 'aunt' and 'uncle', even though they're not really.

Add it all up, throw in a few of our closest friends, and it doesn't take long to get to 200!