Congratulations on your engagement! As a wedding photographer, I have seen firsthand how important the guest list is when it comes to planning your big day. It can be overwhelming to decide who to invite, but with a little bit of guidance, you can create a guest list that is perfect for you and your partner. Here are some tips to help you along the way:
Before you start thinking about distant relatives or your second cousin twice removed, make a list of the people who absolutely must be at your wedding. This could be your closest family members, your best friends, or anyone else who you couldn’t imagine getting married without. Once you have this list, you can start building from there.
The size of your guest list will have a big impact on your overall wedding budget. More guests means more food, more drinks, and more tables and chairs. Before you start adding people to your list, consider how much you’re willing to spend per guest. This will help you make some tough decisions and prioritize who you want to invite.
Some wedding venues have a maximum capacity, so make sure you know how many guests you can invite before you start creating your list. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue only to find out that you can’t invite all of your guests.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider being strategic with plus-ones. Instead of giving everyone a plus-one, only offer them to guests who are in serious relationships or who don’t know many other people at the wedding. This will help you keep your guest list under control while still allowing your guests to bring a date.
Unfortunately, you can’t invite everyone to your wedding. You may have to make some tough decisions and leave some people off the guest list. Remember, this is your day, and you should invite the people who are most important to you and your partner.
Creating a guest list can be a daunting task, but with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a list that works for you. And when the big day arrives, you’ll be surrounded by the people who mean the most to you, which is what really matters. Congratulations again, and happy planning!