With two separate families to consider, close family friends, colleagues, your own friends and those of your hubby-to-be, the guest list is certainly one area of wedding planning that can cause a lot of unneeded stress. We’ll not even begin to mention the seating plan! If you fear your guest list is verging on the ridiculous this evening we’re sharing four ways to keep it under control, and kept your blood pressure normal.
1. Work around your budget and dream venue.
If you’re lucky enough to have found your perfect venue, the big question is, how many can they cater for? Maybe it’s 120, and with that you have a very easy way of capping your guest list. Take off the number in your bridal party and parents and what have you left? Your number of guests.
If you’re sticking closely to your budget, if those extra 20 mouths to feed don’t add up, remove them from the list.
2. Divide guest list allocation fairly.
Both your family and your fiancés will want their fair share of guests, so do choose a fair number wisely, and don’t forget mutual friends. Going for a ratio is a good way to keep everyone happy, for example 35/35/30.
3. Set your plus one rule.
Most couples choose to give plus one invites to anyone who is married, engaged, in a long term relationship, and to their bridal party. After this you should decide if you want the plus one option to extend to all invited guests or not.
4. Are they currently in your life?
Really what’s the point in seeing your second-cousin for the second time in your life on your wedding day? Set a time frame, so if you haven’t had any contact within the past year or two consider them off your list. It will save in very awkward conversation, as well as on the budget.
Cutting your guest list can be a very hard thing to do, but try not to take your decisions personally, you’re sticking to a budget / venue requirements and you have to be happy with all your choices.
Featured image: Jason Mark Harris via Love My Dress
