GUEST LIST: HOW TO CREATE ONE YOU LOVE

AN INTRO TO YOUR GUEST LIST

Oh the dreaded guest list. If there is one thing that my clients really dread, it’s their guest list. For some reason it seems that moms and daughters bicker the most over who should and shouldn’t get an invite, and dad wants to invite all of his golfing buddies that you’ve never met and your head is SPINNING.

I get it. We’ve all been there. Heading into guest list territory can be daunting, but follow these easy steps and you’ll be checking off those RSVPs in no time! Promise.

So, why is having a curated guest list important? Well, first of all you want to be surrounded by the people that you love most at your wedding. You want to look back on those photos and RECOGNIZE everyone that is in them! And, you want to make sure you are respecting those that have given you most in this life with a nice evening and the best party you’ll ever throw.

Here’s my best tips on how to create your wedding guest list:

THE GUEST LIST PROCESS

To start defining your guest list I recommend writing down EVERYONE that you could ever possibly want to come. This the time to include all of Dad’s golf buddies, Mom’s hairstylist and whoever else you can think of. This list will be extra long, but all-inclusive, and you can focus your efforts on trimming it rather than forgetting someone important later on.

Once you have everyone written down, take a look at your overall number. Are you close? I honestly hope so because your job might just be done! If not, don’t fret. I have plenty of tips for how to trim the guest list below! Keep reading!

Rule of thumb: You can estimate that about 80% of those you invite to your wedding will RSVP “yes”.

To start the trim, you’ll need to have a clear definition of how many people you want to invite. Using the rule of thumb above, you can invite more than your desired guest count. For example, if you are wanting 150 guests, you can invite about 190 and be close to that 150 come wedding day.

Then, you’ll need to create two lists: an A list and a B list. Your A list consists of those that you will absolutely invite. The B list (also known as the “wait list”) consists of those that you will invite should there be room in your overall guest count at the end.

GUEST LIST TRIMMING TIPS

Ok, here are a few examples of people that you DON’T have to invite:

• Relatives that you haven’t seen, talked or received anything from in the last 5 years
  • This one could be hard for your parents to accept, but those long distance cousins really don’t need to come if they aren’t close to you. Your wedding day is not a family reunion.
• Your coworkers
  • If you only see them at the office and have never spent time together outside of work, they probably won’t be offended if you don’t invite them.
  • Also, if you do choose to invite coworkers, you should invite all of them which can be a bit tricky and really hurt your guest count.
• Childhood friends you are no longer close with
  • Even if they were so important to you at some point in your life, if you no longer speak and haven’t in a long time, you don’t have to invite them.
• People you have never met
  • I’m a big fan of saying “if both the bride and the groom have not met them, they don’t need an invite.” This might be an unpopular opinion, but those that are really important to you will know BOTH of you. How awkward would it be to meet people for the first time on your wedding day?! It’s a no from me.
• Children and plus ones
  • First, let me start by saying you have no obligation to invite plus ones if you don’t want to, but they are nice to have. Set a clear boundary for who gets a plus one and who doesn’t and stick to it. Here’s an example: if a couple has been dating for more than a year, they both get invited.
  • When it relates to children, most of the time I find that adults really enjoy a night without the kids and don’t bring them even if invited, but if you really don’t want them there, just communicate that through your stationery and on your website for best results.

YOU GOT THIS

Another tip for making sure your guest list is seamless and easy to understand is to use a spreadsheet! That way you can create groups for each guest to live in such as His Family, Her Friends, Mutual Friends, etc. This will be a game changer when it comes time to make your seating chart since everyone will already be grouped together and easily put at each table!

As you are making your guest list, try to have patience with everyone that is making suggestions for who you should and should not invite, but at the end of the day, your wedding day is about you and your fiancé, so you get the final call.

If you happen to be planning your wedding during COVID-19, feel free to use that as an excuse for why you can’t invite everyone! Guest lists are smaller than ever these days, and wow are couples really making the most of it with those they love most. When I say I love my job, I really mean, I LOVE my job. Thanks for giving me this opportunity, y’all. If you would like some extra help with your guest list, contact me HERE or feel free to shoot me an email HERE. I’d love to help you!