5 Tips to Follow When Finalizing Your Wedding Guest List

Let's keep it real, planning a wedding can be stressful.  However, there is joy in the process overall when going through and figuring out the details to make your day special. There is one thing that our clients always stress over, no matter what, and that is trying to figure out the guest list.  That’s why we are providing 5 Tips to Follow When Finalizing Your Wedding Guest List.

1. Always Consider Your Budget and Venue

First on our list of 5 Tips to Follow When Finalizing Your Wedding Guest List is to always consider your budget and venue.  Your venue will be the largest cost of your wedding, so you should set aside fifty percent of your overall budget. Once this is accomplished, create a guest list that works within those guidelines.

2. Don’t Feel Guilty About Not Inviting Children 

If you imagine your wedding day to be kid-free, don’t let their parents make you feel guilty about excluding children from your guest list.  However, you should consider the fact that some parents refuse to travel without their children. Also, feel free to use discretion if you choose to invite some kids and not others. For instance, if you want to include your favorite niece or nephew but not your neighbor's child, then it is your right to do so. 

3. Categorize Guests

Also, on our list of 5 Tips to Follow When Finalizing Your Wedding Guest List is to categorize your guests.  Break them down into categories such as immediate family, close friends, coworkers, plus-ones, and extended family. Doing this allows you to see where the majority of your guests are coming from. Categorizing your guests will help you prioritize who you and your significant other want at the wedding. It will also help you to visualize where you have room to invite more people or downsize the guest list.

4. Don’t Allow Your Parent to Invite People You Don’t Know

Those proud parents we all have always want to add to the guest list, including distant relatives, golf buddies, and coworkers. This is the time to have a conversation with your parents, and you have to stand your ground. Set boundaries! You should not have to invite anyone to your wedding out of obligation.

5. Use the “Haven’t Heard From Them in a Year Rule”

After creating categories, review your list to make sure there is no one you might be forgetting or anyone you may want to cut. That’s where the “haven’t heard from them in a year rule”  comes into play. Consider taking guests off your list if you haven’t spoken to them in over a year.

If you want to learn more about our 5 Tips to Follow When Finalizing Your Wedding Guest List, contact us to speak to one of our wedding planners.