Creating your wedding guest list is one of the most essential parts of the wedding planning process. The number of guests at your nuptials will dictate everything, from the venues available to the cost to the overall vibe of your day. After all, a small affair with 20 of your closest circle and a 500-person event filled with everyone you and your parents have ever met are decidedly different celebrations. Your guest list must be created with care—you’ll want to ensure that your most cherished family and friends are there without going over budget.
To make it all the easier, read on to learn the most important details to take into account when creating your wedding guest list.
When to create your wedding guest list
Creating your wedding guest list as early as possible is important; it will help you navigate conversations with friends (or co-workers) who might not make the cut. “You’re engaged and excited and you want to let everyone know, so you jump on social media and before you know it, you’re inundated with congratulations from people you haven’t heard from in years! First, know that’s okay,” shares wedding planner Dani Blasena of HauteFêtes. “If you’re having a smaller wedding, you can let friends know that you’re planning a more intimate affair for close friends and family only. If you’re speaking to friends who may be between an [invite or not], you can let them know that you are working on the details and that unfortunately, your venue may not be able to accommodate everyone you want to invite. Weddings are expensive propositions and your friends may be grateful that they don’t have to commit to spending the money to fly to Lake Como again!”
Working on your wedding guest list with your fiancé quickly is also essential to kick off all the important tasks in the wedding planning process. “I always recommend working on your guest list before you book your venue,” recommends Blasena. “Knowing what your guest count is can help you determine if a venue is going to have the capacity to fit the number of guests you’d like to invite.” If you have a specific venue in mind, having the proper number in mind can also help you cut down on potential guests more diligently. “I recommend taking the maximum number of attendees a venue can comfortably fit and reducing it by 10 percent. This will give you a solid guest count to work with.”
Finally, take into consideration what your wedding budget will be and how adding an extra person to your list might affect that. “Keep in mind that the biggest cost driver of any wedding is your guest count,” advises Blasena. “When it comes to budget, it’s important to be realistic about the number of guests you can afford to invite and stick to that number—even if it means trimming your list. It will be worth it, in the long run, to cut out people who you aren’t very close with in order to splurge on the photographer of your dreams or special guest touches such as welcome bags.”
Who to include on your wedding guest list
So, who should you invite to your wedding? It’s best to begin with the most essential people in your life, then widen the circle. “When making your guest list, I recommend couples first start with their must-have list, including any plus ones that are required—such as your sister’s ‘on again, off again’ boyfriend,” says Blasena. “This initial list should be a combination of guests from both your immediate families (such as parents, siblings, close relatives, and any kids if you are including children), your best friends including the bridal party, and any ‘must haves’ your parents request. From there, you can then start adding your other friends.”
