Planning your wedding should be fun, right? But let’s face it – putting together your guest list can be tricky! Who you invite affects your budget, venue, and the whole feel of your special day.
Here’s how to make a guest list that works for you and your partner, minus the headaches.
Start With Budget and Venue Size
Before you even think about names, figure out two important things: how much money you can spend and how many people your venue can hold. Only invite people you can actually afford to host! It’s tempting to add “just a few more people,” but those extra guests quickly add up in costs.
Create Separate Draft Lists
You and your partner should each make your own guest lists before combining them. This helpful step lets you both focus on who truly matters most without any outside influence. After you finish, you can sit down together and create your combined list.
Identify Your VIPs
Who absolutely must be there on your big day? Start with your VIPs – close family, grandparents, cousins, and best friends. Once this core group is written down, you can add more people if your budget and space allow. Having your VIPs clearly identified helps you stay firm when others try to add names later!
Set Clear Rules (and Stick to Them!)
Here’s where things often get tricky – when people start chiming in with their own guest suggestions. While their input can be valuable, you and your partner should make the final call. Here are some guidelines:
- Parents and In-Laws: If your parents are helping pay, it’s fair to give them some input on the guest list.
- Plus Ones: Decide on your plus-one policy early. Will everyone get to bring a date, or just married and long-term couples? Setting this rule now prevents awkward conversations later.
- Children: Make an early decision about whether your wedding will be adults-only or have an age minimum. Whatever you decide, be consistent!
Refine Your List
Okay, so you’ve got your initial list down – now comes the tricky part! Take a good look at who you’ve included and ask yourself, “Will I actually miss them if they aren’t there?” That old neighbor you lost touch with? Your friend’s cousin you met once at happy hour? They probably don’t need an invite. Remember, every person costs money – from their meal to their chair to their slice of cake.
Breathe and Take It Slow
Your perfect guest list won’t be created in a day! This isn’t something to hammer out during your lunch break. Maybe jot down names over a cocktail on Friday night, sleep on it over the weekend, then revisit on Sunday afternoon. You might be surprised how your feelings change with a little time! The guest list deserves the same care as choosing your venue or dress – it’s that important.
Go With Your Gut
At the end of the day, this celebration is about you and your partner, not your mom’s tennis partner or your dad’s golf buddy. Whether you’re dreaming of 30 guests or 300, what matters is that when you look around the room, you feel absolute joy about every person there. Stand your ground on those boundaries you set. Consistency is kindness! After all, the faces surrounding you will fill your wedding photos and memories forever.
Happy planning, friends! And remember, after all the cake is eaten, and the dancing is done, the real adventure is just beginning!
Ready to find your perfect “I do” spot?
Whether you’re dreaming of something small and sweet or big and buzzy, Ainsworth House is the perfect place for you.
Reach out to us today, and start turning your wedding dreams into reality!
