Finding the Perfect Wedding Guest List: Who Makes the Cut?

Your wedding day will be one of the most special and memorable days of your life. You’ll be surrounded by your closest family and friends as you celebrate your love. But how do you decide who to include on your guest list? With costs per head and venue capacity to consider, creating your wedding guest list can be tricky. Read on for tips on how to create the perfect guest list for your big day.

Start With the Must-Haves

Immediate family is at the top of the guest list. Parents, grandparents, siblings - they need to be there! Next come members of the wedding party - bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer. Significant others and spouses of the wedding party get an automatic invite too.

Once you’ve got the VIP list handled, it’s time to think about aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Be prepared for some potential drama if you don’t invite all cousins or all aunts and uncles. Try to be as fair and inclusive as you can with extended family.

Now For the Fun Part - Friends! Make sure your closest childhood friends, college roommates, coworkers, and anyone else you’re close with makes the cut. Don’t agonize over inviting every single acquaintance - save those precious spots for the very nearest and dearest.

When making your friends list, think about groups and couples that always hang out together. Avoid inviting just half of a friend group or couple. All or nothing! No one wants to attend a wedding solo.

+1s - To Give or Not To Give?

Speaking of solo wedding guests, what's your policy on giving plus ones? Plus ones allow your guests to bring a date, helping guests mingle and making sure no one feels abandoned on the dancefloor. But extra guests also drive up catering costs.

A good rule of thumb is this: give plus ones to guests who won't know many other attendees. If your college roommate is flying in and won't know anyone else at the wedding, give her a plus one. If your coworker is local and knows lots of other guests, a plus one isn't necessary.

Only give plus ones to married or engaged couples. Your rule-abiding single friends will understand. Unmarried partners can feel like a gray area - use your best judgment here.

Keep The Peace with Coworkers

Office politics are tricky, so tread carefully when inviting coworkers. Don't invite your work BFF but not your cubicle neighbor - feelings will be hurt. Err on the side of more inclusive with coworkers to avoid tension back at the office. An easy fix is to invite no coworkers at all. Or if your office is like family, invite the whole crew!

Set a Budget, Do the Math

Now comes the tough part - finalizing your guest count based on your budget. Catering and alcohol costs add up quickly, so extra guests have real financial implications. Be prepared to make some hard cuts if needed.

Start by estimating costs per head based on your venue and caterer. Do the math to figure out how many guests you can afford to host. Now compare this number to your guest list. Time to start trimming if needed!

Look for areas where cuts will go mostly unnoticed, like coworkers or distant cousins. Remember, limit plus ones and don't worry about inviting every last acquaintance. If budget demands it, cut back on out of towners too. Focus your spend on the people who truly matter most.

You can use our Wedding Budget Calculator to estimate your overall wedding costs. And check out our Ultimate Wedding Budget Checklist for a detailed breakdown of typical wedding expenses.

DIY Invitations for Large Guest Lists

Once your list is finalized, it's time to get those invitations out! Printing and mailing invites for 100+ guests is pricey. Consider making your own invitations or sending digital invites instead.

Online invitation services like Paperless Post and Evite are beautiful, eco-friendly options. Or get crafty and design invitation suites yourselves. Buy blank cards and decorate with ribbon, glitter, photos, or anything that fits your wedding style. Add handwritten personal notes for that thoughtful touch.

Who knew compiling a guest list would be so complicated? But taking the time to curate your special day guest list ensures you can celebrate with your nearest and dearest within your budget. With this checklist in hand, you'll be ready to make those tough invitation decisions like a pro! Now get ready to dance the night away with your favorite people by your side. Congrats to all you brides-to-be!