Wedding planning is in full swing, and you are making your wedding guest list. We get it; so many decisions can be overwhelming. From budgeting to children/plus-ones and so on, figuring out who to invite to your wedding can quickly seem daunting. Drafting and narrowing down your guest list is probably one of the less exciting parts of wedding planning, but following our guide is a solid way to make things go a little smoother.
Start With Your Guest Count
Before starting your invite list, it is important to establish your wedding size. Guest count can vary widely depending on budgets, location, venue capacity, and more. Once you and your partner have a target number in mind, you can start building your list. Whether you’re expecting 25 guests or 300+, we’re sharing our stress-free cheat sheet to help you decide who gets an invite!
Breaking Down Our Guest List Cheat Sheet
First things first: are they a family member? If not, are they a friend or coworker? These initial questions are huge when helping to categorize and narrow down potential guests. From there, our three-year rule can be a helpful gut check: have you talked to or spent meaningful time with this person within the last three years? There are always exceptions, but thinking about the relationship you share can help you decide whether they belong on your guest list.
Next, ask yourself: would you be upset if they didn’t invite you to their wedding? If the answer is no, take a moment to consider whether you’re adding them to your list because you genuinely want them there or simply because you feel obligated to extend an invitation. The feeling is typically mutual, and they’re likely on the same page as you. While every relationship is different, your answer can help put the decision of who to invite to your wedding into perspective.
Lastly (and maybe most importantly): will they make your wedding more enjoyable? Your guests help shape the atmosphere of your celebration, so think about the people who make you feel supported, loved, and excited to celebrate.
At the end of the day, who gets invited to your wedding will look a little different for every couple. Use our cheat sheet as a starting point, trust your instincts, and focus on filling the room with the people you genuinely want to celebrate alongside!
