There are three common dilemmas that come with creating a guest list. The guest list is an infamously dreaded task, and I will agree that it is not something most of us look forward to making. However, there are simple solutions to these common guest-list dilemmas:
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“I don’t know where to start.”
If you don’t know where to start, chances are you are trying to tackle this task alone. You need help though! Sit your fiancé, fiancé’s mom, your mom, and bestie down and ask them who you should invite. Including the people you are closest to in this process will help you out tremendously. They likely know your family, friends, and acquaintances about as well as you do. This does not mean you have to include everyone they recommend; it is just a good place to start brainstorming. Once you sit down and are trying to jot down all of the recommendations, the list will come together quickly. Always keep a copy of your list with you on your phone in case you think of changes you want to make. Creating an editable shared note or document can also help so that your fiancé can add people as they come to mind.
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“Am I forgetting someone?”
So you are through the initial list-making process and you just have a gut feeling you are forgetting some important people. A good way to compile a list of all of your friends and relatives is to look through your Instagram followers and Facebook friends. You will most likely have all the people that are close enough to come to your wedding on social media. There might be a few outliers, but you can also comb through the contact list in your phone to double check. If you don’t have a friend in your contact list or friends list, you probably don’t really want them at your wedding.
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“I need to narrow down this list.”
It can be easy to go overboard and create a guest list that is double the occupancy of your venue. It also can be so hard deciding who to cross off your list, so here are a few ideas to help you narrow it down:
x That rando MIA relative: Just because you’re related does not mean you are close or even know all your relatives. It is okay to only invite relatives you are close to.
x Friends you haven’t heard from in years: Yes, it might sound like a nice idea to reconnect with old friends by inviting them to your wedding. In reality, you won’t have time to catch up with them on your wedding day. Find another opportunity to spend time with friends you haven’t seen in a long time.
x Coworkers: If your guest list is getting tight, it might be time to cross the coworkers off the list. Explain to them that you can’t have everyone attend the wedding and plan an Office Happy Hour instead!
x Neighbors: Yes, you live next to them, but are you really friends? They probably aren’t going to be offended if they aren’t invited. Besides, if you’re not close to them, they might only be attending your wedding because they feel obligated.
x Kids: There might not be enough room at the wedding for friends’ children to attend, or your venue might not be “kid-friendly.” There is no shame in not inviting every kid!
x Infamously unruly wedding guests: If you know Tim is just going to show up and cause a scene, you might want to cross his name off the list. If Tim is a family member who has a bad track record, but you still want them to attend, have an honest conversation asking him to keep it together.
x Plus-ones whom you don’t even know: You have no obligation to give out plus-ones if you are reaching max capacity. Tell Sarah you’re sorry but there just isn’t enough room.
Hopefully these tips help you out whether you’re trying to fill a guest list or you need to cross off half the people. We hope we can be there to see everyone you end up inviting and capture your guests enjoying your wedding! Book us here.
