One of the tasks that can stress you the most is defining the wedding guest list and well, it is normal considering that it is not something easy.
Do you want some shortcuts so that it does not become an impossible mission? I will share with you in this article how to make a guest list for a wedding.
The wedding guest list may be one of the tasks that can make you think the most, because you do not want to leave anyone out.
Creating the guest list is your starting point, so it is important that you get down to work so that when you have it clear you can define the venue, the amount of food you need and other planning details.
Read also: 6 Rules For Seating Your Guests At The Wedding: Prioritize Their Comfort
1. Write a list with all the people you would like to invite
The wedding guest list begins by dreaming big, that is, writing down all the names of those people who would like to join you.
When creating the guests list, start with your immediate family (dad, mom, siblings, nephews/nephews) and close friends.
This means that you start from the people closer to you and go outwards.
For example, after your family members, you can then include; classmates from university, classmates from childhood, distant cousins and friends you met recently.
2. Separate the guests according to their level
This is a group of people who are important to be in your wedding.
They are the people who you invite to witness the marriage.
You can name this set whatever they want to separate them from the other possible guests.
The other people on the list could receive an invitation only for the ceremony or dinner, if the space of the venue and your budget allow it, do not be afraid to do this.
3. Spend time, but set a deadline
It takes more than a day to have a definitive guest list and it is advisable to make this decision with enough time.
First, you have to send the invitations as soon as possible and ask the guests to confirm if they are coming for the wedding.
This will help you to know the number of guests that will attend the wedding.
Set a deadline for this task, taking into account the real time that it will take you to undertake these decisions.
The final list must be completed at least one month before the wedding.
Read also: How Much Can You Spend On A Simple Wedding (Realistic Budgets)
4. Consider your budget
Each guest costs money and if your budget is limited, you may want to invite a few people to save money.
Check the packages offered by your providers and decide how much you are willing to pay.
5. Consider the type of celebration
The next thing you should start asking yourself is which of the wedding formats fits what you want.
These are what to consider depending on the type of celebration you want to have: On a farm, on a beach or an elegant event hall? How many people could the venue of your dreams accommodate?
Decide if you want a small or large wedding.
Try not to feel guilty if someone is left out, remember that you have the money you considered adequate for your marriage.
After the wedding you can organize an intimate party so you can celebrate with the other people that you didn’t invite to the wedding.
6. Ask your parents for help
In some cases the parents help to take part of the expenses, so if this is your case it is important that you take their opinion into account when putting together the list.
You can ask them to give you a proposal with family and friends they would like to see in the wedding and in turn, divide them into subgroups in order of importance, leaving room for adjustments.
In this way you make your parents participate, but it is still you who make the last decision of who is and who is not going to be invited.
Read also: How Many People Should I Invite To My Wedding (My Experience)
7. Check your list properly
Put together a large list as a draft between the two of you and categorize the names that make it up, either with a color or a keyword that indicates the proximity and relationship you have with them.
In this way you can immediately identify those friends or relatives whose presence is important compared to those whose participation is secondary.
Keep in mind your priorities and discard those who you do not consider important in the wedding.
Ask yourself, would the marriage change anything if a certain person did not attend?
8. Establish “rules” or guidelines for inviting
For example, establishing “norms or rules” to know who to invite and who not to invite, can be based on topics such as:
(1) If you only want a wedding for adults -without children. You should not feel bad about this preference.
(2) If you haven’t spoken to someone on the list for more than two years, you can forgo sending them an invitation.
The “rules” will help you refine your selection criteria
9. Consider new moves on your list
It is possible that your first draft will be modified, because when you start sending the invitations you will find that some people will not be able to attend.
You can fill the space of those who won’t attend the wedding with those who are available to come for the wedding.
Check your original first list to figure out who else you could include to get your wedding cards out on time, so it doesn’t look like you throw them out.
Read also: What Is The Number One Rule As A Wedding Guest
Conclusion
Do you still consider that creating the wedding guest list is an impossible mission?
I am sure you can make your guest list now without any problem. Remember the basic steps to do it and do not feel guilty if for personal reasons some people will be left out.