Who Makes It Onto The Guest List?

Deciding your guest list for the big day is a significant aspect of the wedding planning journey, and narrowing it down can indeed be a daunting task. However, fret not! We've gathered some useful tips to aid you in refining that list and guaranteeing a more seamless planning process.

1. Your Venue

Your venue is your best friend - it has a maximum capacity of guests allowed so narrowing down your guest list is already that much easier. Be sure to keep this in mind when refining your lists. The last thing you want is too many people and not enough seats.

2. Cover Charges

This is also something to ponder on. Your venue will charge you per guest. Stick to your guns and your budget, you don't always have to invite the number of guests that your venue allows. If your venue charges a little over your budget per guest, adjust your guest list accordingly. Our advice is to sit down with your partner and decide on the total number of guests you'd like at your wedding. Decide from there who fits into that number. A hack we love: you and your partner should write down the first few names who come to mind - let that guide you into choosing your guests.

3. Your Friends

It's terribly tempting to invite every single person you've called a mate or shared a friendship bracelet with, but this where everything gets real - fast. Cutting your guest list forces you to review the nature of your relationships, it boils down to inviting the friends you keep in touch with on a regular basis. When the decisions get tough, remember the difference between your friends and acquaintances.

A key question to ask yourself when deciding which friends to include is: Can you imagine having dinner with them within a year? If yes, add them to your A-list. If at one stage you were close, but you haven't been in regular contact with each other for ages, add them to you B-list.

4. Your Colleagues

This can be a bit of a puzzle, considering how much time we spend with our coworkers. Our suggestion? If you find yourself socialising with coworkers outside of office hours, chances are, you've formed solid friendships and they deserve a spot on your guest list. That said, there's no need to feel pressured to invite every coworker or the entire department unless you believe the bond will endure beyond the typical workday.

5. Your Family

Family is family, but your wedding is a celebration of your love and commitment. When was the last time you spoke to them? Do they know your partner? This is undeniably the toughest nut to crack, for obvious reasons. Your family members will always share a special bond with you, perhaps through your parents, no matter how distant the connection may seem. Oftentimes, if Aunt Chatty Cathy is left off the guest list, you'll hear a word or two through the grapevine. So, how do you navigate this delicate situation? We suggest starting by compiling a list from immediate to extended family, and consider consulting your parents as they often have a better understanding of your extended family dynamics.

All in all, don't be tempted to create a B-list if your guest list is becoming too daunting - it will only make matters worse! Work methodically, trust your instincts and in no time, you'll wrap up this dreaded wedding task in no time!