Wedding Guest List: Do’s & Don’t's
2024-09-30
Source: Unsplash
Creating a wedding guest list that pleases everyone (and fits within your budget) is one of the most challenging tasks in wedding planning. It might even lead to some hurt feelings! From trying to accommodate parents' seating requests to wondering if you might offend a colleague you invited to their wedding last year, making a wedding guest list is far from simple.
Don’t worry, we're here to offer practical advice to help you balance your guest list and save on seating costs.
1. Do start planning early
The first and most important step is to sit down and discuss the type of wedding you envision. Are you planning a destination wedding, a hotel ballroom, or a wedding at a convention center? The type of wedding will significantly impact the number of guests you can invite.
Creating a budget will also help determine the realistic number of guests you can afford to invite. Remember, each guest adds to the overall cost of the wedding. For example, more guests mean a larger venue, which also means more decorations and catering costs. The number of guests also directly affects how much you spend on things like invitations and menus.
Additionally, the time of year, day of the week, and venue capacity will help you determine your guest list size. You should discuss with both families about their expected guest count and add your own friends and guests to get an estimated number. Use this number when narrowing down your venue options.
Source: Unsplash
2. Do categorize your guests
Who are the people you can't imagine your special day without?
Create a list of the most important people you want to have at your wedding. Once you've listed the must-haves, write down everyone else you'd like to have at your wedding if there's enough space and budget. Divide them into different groups or tiers to help you prioritize who to invite. Divide your guest list into different groups, such as immediate family, extended family, close friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. This will help you prioritize who to invite based on venue size and budget constraints.
3. Do create a backup list
Compare notes with your partner and create a waiting list if necessary. Are there any overlaps in your circles? Are there any guests you disagree on? Consider factors such as your relationship with the person, how recently you've seen or spoken to them, and your budget and capacity constraints.
Try capping each guest category at a certain number in this backup list if you're having trouble cutting down your list.
4. Don't procrastinate
Creating a guest list and allocating a budget for meals is a significant portion of your overall wedding budget. Couples should prioritize creating a guest list before considering other related services.
You can start by mentioning to potential guests that you're planning a small wedding to manage expectations. If you know someone who might expect an invitation but isn't on the guest list, try to inform them in advance or hint at it before sending out the invitations.
5. Don't forget about seating arrangements
You need to be consistent when creating your wedding guest list - this helps you avoid awkward questions later!
Once you've determined the maximum number of guests, divide that number between you and your partner and both families. Although each family has a different number of members and levels of closeness, dividing the seats equally for each side and arranging them appropriately will help avoid any conflicts.
Additionally, consider whether guests can bring plus-ones. Depending on your preferences, you may only want to invite that guest and their significant other, or they may be able to bring additional friends. The same applies to guests with children. If you're not comfortable with children being present, explain to your guests that you request all other parents to leave their children at home.
Source: Pexels
6. Don't assume guests will attend
Send out paper invitations or online invitations via email six to eight weeks before the wedding to give guests ample time to plan and allow you time to adjust your guest list based on RSVPs. After receiving declines, you may choose to downsize the wedding or send out a second round of invitations – but plan this list in advance! No one wants to feel like a second-choice guest, especially if they're in a friend group with those who were invited in the first round.
7. Don’t overspend on the guest list
Excessive spending on unique printed invitations or elaborate guest favors for a large guest list can quickly strain your budget and take away from the enjoyment of the entire wedding planning process.
Instead, focus on your financial situation and the type of wedding you want to have so you can invest in the aspects that matter most to you and ensure a successful celebration.
Source: Unsplash
Putting together a guest list can be quite a daunting task, filled with potential stress and disagreements. Open communication with your partner and a willingness to be flexible are key. Rather than trying to meet everyone's expectations, remember that your wedding is a celebration of your love, and you deserve to share it with those who truly matter to you.
