Drafting our guest list for our big day was one of the first steps we completed after getting engaged. The number of guests you plan on having will affect everything, from your budget to your venue choice. This is why it is so important to have an approximate headcount before you get too far into the planning process.
How to create your wedding guest list
Deciding who makes the list can be very difficult and a little stressful. In an ideal world, everyone would be invited, but, of course, that is not possible for some budgets. Guests can add up faster than you can imagine.
For us, we decided early on that we wanted a small, intimate wedding. We followed these two tips when creating our guest list. If you are also seeking a smaller-size wedding or working with a limited budget, we hope these tips help you create your wedding guest list!
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The General Rule:
My mom gave us this advice that we loved:
if you have to be introduced to this person on your wedding day, they shouldn't be invited.
By the time our wedding day rolled around, it would mark six years that Joe and I had been together. If we have yet to meet the person after a little over half of a decade, they certainly do not belong at the wedding.
On your wedding day, you should be surrounded by close family and friends who have experienced your relationship growth and cheered you on nearly every step. That was the group of people that we wanted to witness when we entered the next step in our journey.
However, my mom's advice may not pertain to everyone. Therefore, this rule may be more up your alley:
if you haven't sat down and had a meal together in the past two years, they probably shouldn't be invited to your wedding.
This will help you separate the people you are close to and the people with whom you have lost touch. In terms of a budget, this is a pretty fair rule.
The Plus-One Rule:
It is also important to come up with a guideline for determining who gets a plus-one. A plus-one is a MUST for anyone who is married, engaged, or in a long-term relationship. There are no exceptions there!
A plus-one can also be acceptable for anyone who is single and won't have any other friends or relatives attending.
However, if someone is single, but will be amongst friends and/or family, giving them a plus-one is not necessary, especially when you are trying to keep your guest list small or only want people you know at your wedding.
Once you finalize your list, that is when the real fun begins! For more wedding planning advice, visit our wedding planning tab!
Hugs & Cookies,
