Curating your wedding guest list should be one of the first actionable items you tackle after getting engaged. So much hinges on your guest count, I.e, venue size, catering costs (generally billed per person), number of rentals needed, plus many other services will be based on your guest count. Here are 7 helpful tips for curating your wedding guest list to ensure a joyful, manageable, and meaningful celebration:
1. Begin with Your Ideal Guest Count
Determine how many guests your venue and budget can realistically accommodate. From there, you can work backward to build your list accordingly. Smaller, intimate guest counts are trending and this allows for bigger budgets for food, drinks, and other rentals/services needed.
2. Prioritize Your Inner Circle
Begin with your must-haves: close family and friends. These are the people who matter most and whose presence would make the day complete. These are “Your People” and cannot imagine your Big Day without them present.
3. Create Categories
Separate your draft potential guest list into categories (i.e., immediate family, extended family, close friends, coworkers, acquaintances). This helps you visualize who fits best within your priorities. This also helps when it’s time to trim the fat.
4. Be Consistent with Rules
Set ground rules early (e.g., no plus-ones unless engaged or living together, no kids except family). Apply these rules fairly to avoid awkwardness and hurt feelings. Make sure this rules are communicated either on your invite and/or wedding website.
5. Split the List with Your Partner (and Families)
If your parents or in-laws are involved in planning, agree on how the list will be divided. Split the list 50/50 between families or a third each among the couple and both families.
6. Trim with Tact
If the list is too long, make thoughtful cuts—prioritize those you see regularly or who’ve played a role in your relationship. You’re not obligated to invite everyone you’ve ever met or your little league sports coach whom you haven’t seen since! Consider the guest experience you can provide with a smaller guest list.
7. Use a “B-List” Wisely
Some recommend having a backup list in case people decline. You send out your first round of invites early so you can invite B-list guests in time without seeming like an afterthought. This is not something I personally recommend. What if they found out that a friend received their invite two/three months prior?
Be sure and check out more wedding tips and ideas HERE!
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