Wedding guest lists can be daunting and stressful. Who should you invite? Who doesn’t make the cut? Kids or no kids? Here are a few tips for creating a guest list that fits your wedding vision and budget.
Core Crew First
Prioritize your close loved ones. This includes the people that you absolutely want in attendance, like immediate family members, grandparents, and close friends. Then move on to extended family and other friends.
Or…Work Backwards
If building up a list feels difficult, another option is to create one big list of everyone you would want to invite and trim it down from there. Group guests into your must-haves (family and close friends) and nice-to-haves (coworkers, etc.).
Kids or No Kids?
While many couples are opting for child-free celebrations, opinions are still divided on whether it’s appropriate. If there are several children among your family and friends, this may be an easy way to cut down your guest list to a more manageable number. Some couples just prefer to celebrate with their of-age loved ones. At the end of the day, it’s your wedding! Make the decision that feels right for you.
Stand Your Ground
While it is 100% up to you to decide who you do or do not want at your wedding, be prepared to handle difficult situations surrounding those you choose not to invite, especially if they’re close to you or your family. Next to budget discussions, the guest list nears the top of the “stressful wedding tasks” list.
Think Ahead
Your guest count will influence your budget. Things like catering, dessert, bar, and even table linens and centerpieces will all be affected by the number of guests you have in attendance. If you have a tight budget, you may want to opt for a smaller guest list.
Looking for more wedding planning advice? Head back to Pop, Fizz, Plan for more!
