Do you find creating your wedding guest list a major headache?
It’s something we understand! The wedding guest list is often one of the most difficult aspects of the planning process.
You need to do many things before you cross this task off your list.
Your wedding guest list should be a top priority. It will impact your venue, budget, catering and seating plans, and the cost of your wedding. But, most importantly, these are the people you will be spending the most memorable day of your life with. That’s quite a deal if we do say so ourselves.
The best way to clarify your guest list is to take it to step by step. Here it is, the ultimate guide to creating your wedding guests list without the stress!
Step 1: Create your guest list draft
Let’s begin by making a list of all the people you would love to have at your wedding. This will be your “dream guest list draft”, and you can go backward. Don’t get attached to this list, as you will likely trim it later. You won’t forget anyone if you take the time to draft it first.
Begin by sitting down together with your partner to make a list. Start with your most close friends and family members and work your way up to your casual acquaintances.
This is a good order to make your list.
- Family – Parents, siblings, inlaws, and grandparents
- Close friends are your besties and the people you would ask to be in your wedding party
- Extended Family – Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles
- Extended friends– acquaintances, coworkers
Next, consider any children or partners of your guests unless you have already decided to hold a child-free wedding.
Consider your future inlaws and parents. Is your family contributing to the wedding bill? Traditional wisdom says that if they contribute to your wedding bill, this will influence the guest list. It’s your day. However, if your parents pay for your wedding, you should allow them space on your guest lists.
Talk to your parents upfront about your expectations and any other guests you may have in mind. Based on their feedback, make sure to update your draft guest list.
Step 2: Determine How Many Guests You Can Offer
Once you have your guest list prepared, it’s time to determine how many you can afford. Get this done if you have not yet determined a realistic wedding budget.
Next, get quotes from suppliers and venues to establish a rough cost per person. It would be best if you also considered the cost of each guest, including food, drink and invitations.
After subtracting any other costs (such as the photographer, celebrant and hairdresser), divide your remaining budget by the “per person” cost. This will give you an idea of how many people you can afford to invite to your wedding.
Also, you should check the limitations of your venue. You may find that some venues have limitations on how many people can fit in the space. This is especially true for sit-down weddings that require tables and chairs. A sit-down dinner will have a different capacity than a cocktail wedding. A stand-up wedding may be a better option if your guest list is larger.