Choosing who to invite to your wedding can be a tough decision. Your list might constantly change, or you might be struggling to decide if you should invite that second cousin or colleague. This guide hopes to give you some direction on compiling a list both you and your fiancé will be happy with.
Write a list
The first thing to do before anything else is write a list. Simple right? Well probably not when you get down to the finer details.
We recommend adding anyone and everyone to the initial list – even if they’re on the maybe list. As your wedding planning progresses you will begin to understand your budget and logistics. At that point you can start to compile your final list. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are usually non-negotiable unless there’s a specific reason otherwise. When it’s time to send your Save The Dates or RSVP invites you should have a definite list of people who you are going to invite. In the end you should have two lists. One for people who are a must, and second list with potential guests.
Send your RSVP’s early
Once you’ve finalized your guest list and sent out your RSVPs, you’ll begin to receive responses. It’s possible that some guests may not be able to attend, which can open up space for others. By sending out your RSVPs early and gathering responses promptly, you’ll have a clearer idea of your availability. This could give you the opportunity to extend invitations to others, such as work colleagues or more distant family members, who weren’t on the initial list.
Who not to invite
It’s natural to want to invite as many people as possible to celebrate such a special day, but if your guest list is limited, it’s okay to be selective. Consider leaving out those you haven’t connected with in years. Old classmates or former coworkers, as they may not feel a strong connection to the occasion. Remember, you’re under no obligation to invite anyone you’re not genuinely excited to have there, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to include anyone out of guilt or expectation.
What sort of wedding do you want?
Do you envision a grand celebration with over 200 guests, or do you prefer something more intimate and low-key, perhaps with 30 or fewer close friends and family? Deciding on the size and vibe of your wedding early on is an important step in the planning process. A larger wedding offers the opportunity to include extended family, friends, colleagues, and more, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. On the other hand, a smaller wedding allows for a more personal and relaxed experience, where you can spend meaningful time with each guest.
Defining your vision and priorities from the start will make it much easier to compile your guest list. It will help guide decisions such as choosing the venue, allocating your budget, and setting the tone for the day.
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Day time guests vs night time guests
If you are restricted on the numbers, you can always invite extended family or work colleagues to the evening reception. Wedding package evening reception guests usually cost less per head. The result is that you can still have as many people as possible share your day.
If you’re working with a limited guest list, inviting extended family or work colleagues to the evening reception can be a great compromise. This allows you to include more people in your celebration without exceeding your capacity for the ceremony. Many wedding packages are designed with this in mind, as evening reception guests typically cost less per person. This makes it easier to stick to your budget while ensuring that more of your loved ones and connections can join you for the joyous festivities, like dancing and cutting the cake.
Be sure to clearly communicate the details of your invitation, especially if you’re inviting someone to the evening reception rather than the entire day. To avoid any misunderstandings or disappointment, it’s a good idea to gently explain why you’ve made this decision. You might mention that due to space or budget constraints the main ceremony and meal are limited to immediate family and close friends, but you would still love to have them join in the celebrations later in the evening.
An online wedding RSVP creator allows you to tailor your RSVP to the different types of guests. You can restrict certain questions such as meal options to daytime guests online.
Grouping
Whilst it may not be possible to have everyone at your wedding ceremony it’s important to strive to be consistent in how you decide who is invited. For example, limiting the ceremony to close family and friends or using clear criteria for who makes the guest list. You should avoid situations where one person from a group (like a workplace or friend circle) is invited while others are left out. By applying a fair and thoughtful approach, you can maintain positive relationships and ensure your decisions are understood and respected.
Enjoy your wedding
Whoever you decide to invite to your wedding, always remember that it’s your special day. The choices you make should reflect what feels right for you and your partner. This is a celebration of your love and commitment, and the people who are there should be those who support and cherish your journey together.
Image by Glenn Carstens-Peters.
