Preparing a guest list at weddings is a more difficult task than it seems. It is not only to forget anyone but also to keep the number in the ideal amount. At the same time, preparing the right seating plan brings with it a detailed study. By working organized, you can quickly complete preparing a guest list and a seating plan. You can find details about what kind of planning process you should have when preparing a guest list for your wedding in the rest of our article.
Divide The Guest List Into Categories
Divide your list into four categories. From “A” to “D.” In the “A,” you should include all the people you can not marry without.
Aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends of the school you keep in touch with should go to the “B” list, in your list of “C” should include co-workers, friends of your parents, and neighbors. Finally, your list “D,” distant cousins, friends you lost contact with. If you need to cut your list, start with the “D.”
Who to Invite?
Family Invites
Sometimes your parents have their guest list. Make things clear to both families from the start. Traditionally, each family invites half the guests. However, if you and your fiancé are arcane with the wedding, you can choose to divide your list into three parts: a third for the bride’s family, a third for the groom’s, and a third for you. It is an exciting formula, but real life may not be so simple. Sometimes a family takes on most of the expenses. If this is the case, you have to find an equitable way to divide the guest list.
If you’re going to invite someone single, keep in mind that this person will probably take someone, it would be rude to ask them not to, so count this person on your final list.
Children
You may like children, but you don’t want them at your wedding. If so, be very specific in the invitation. If you have many children on your list, it is best to hire a monitor and book a corner of your party for them. Some companies do this job very well, and your guests will not be upset.
Workplace
If you work in an office with fewer than 15 people, you probably know them all, and you’ve probably been talking to them about organizing your marriage. In this case, it’s right to invite everyone. If you work in a large company, you can choose not to invite anyone from the office or invite only your closest friends. Remember that if co-workers are married, you should include your partners in the invitation.
Should I invite my boss? It depends on your relationship; if you have a more formal relationship, it is not necessary.
Old Contacts
If you are no longer in contact with certain people from your past, do not feel obliged to invite them to your wedding just because they asked you to theirs. Also, please don’t pressure parents to include the people they know, but you don’t. When trying to make decisions ask yourself if the potential guest will be a part of your life in the future; if someone still means something to you, you probably always mean something to him or her; trust your instincts so that you’ll be sure to have the people you want in your marriage.
Download Free Wedding Guest List Templates
The guest list of a wedding is a delicate subject, but extremely necessary. This decision is one of the first things you two will have to do when planning the wedding, download our free customizable guest list template. With this template, it will be much easier for you to choose the guests!
Wedding Guest List Templates for Microsoft Excel
Wedding Guest List Templates for Microsoft Word
Tips to Keep Guest List Within Budget
- Be aware that many reception rooms advertise a higher maximum capacity than what is comfortable in the room. Ask questions about the number of tables for this capacity, the number of people per table, whether there are tables on the dance floor, etc. You might be surprised by their answers! Example: The advertised maximum capacity is 120 people, including tables of 10 people (while eight people would be adequate). This hall’s realistic capacity will be 96 people for tables of 8. Take the time to check this information; you will avoid unpleasant surprises!
- Do not send more invitations than the capacity of your space. The guests could surprise you, and all be present! If you still choose to invite more people, telling you that some will not come, do not exceed 10% of the capacity.
- There is no magic percentage to predict refusals. If you invite many people from outside the country, the number of refusals could be more significant. But if your guests live less than an hour from your wedding venue, chances are they can all come! In short, the number of refusals is very variable and depends on the circumstances (distance to travel, vacation period, people close to the bride and groom or not, etc.).
- The choice of guests is very personal to each couple. Some will prefer to invite the whole family; others will choose the people they are close to only, even if it means offending a few people. Take the time to discuss it together to be on the same wavelength.
- Beware of sending invitations “out of politeness” to people you are less close to. They might well decide to attend your wedding out of politeness, thinking you want them to be among you!
- Remember to include the number of children in the total number of guests, as they count as a table seat (except babies).
FAQs
On average, 75-80% of the guest list attend the wedding.
A guest list of over 200 people is considered a large wedding.
There cannot be a specific answer, but quite often, they do invite their friends.
