Who do we want to spend our wedding day with? Our nearest and dearest, of course! The people who have loved and supported us through our journey. However, when it comes down to it, creating a guest list can prove a lot more difficult than you originally anticipated, starting with how many people to put on the wedding guest list.
Here are 4 tips to help you start your wedding guest list and let your nearest and dearest know they’re invited!
1. Venue vs. Guest List
Before you start planning your wedding, you need to decide whether you want your venue to revolve around your guests or whether you want your guests to revolve around your venue.
If you opt for the first, you should draw up a list of everyone who you want to attend your wedding and then find a venue that fits the numbers. If you opt for the second, then you need to request information regarding the capacity of the venue you have set your heart on. You will then need to create a wedding guest list that fits within this. You may have to cut out some people so you don’t go over capacity. Or, if your budget allows, you can add other people to the wedding guest list and help prevent the place from looking too empty.
2. Saving the Environment
Once you’ve decided who you want to attend, it’s time to start inviting them!
Most couples still send out paper invites. This gives your event a more traditional and formal feel. However, if you’re an eco-conscious individual, you may find that you can’t bring yourself to waste paper on something that could be completed just as easily online.
Now, we’re not saying to set up a Facebook event for your wedding, as if it’s some casual get together or club night. This also opens up the distinct possibility of having people attend that you never intended to invite in the first place.
There are options out there that make your wedding feel elegant while cutting back on the paper waste. You can go with paperless invitations. Or you can create and share a special wedding website. Just take a look at Anthony Markofsky and Fiona Donahue’s specially designed webpage that invites people to attend their wedding. Not only are they using an online platform which is a little more green, but operating your guest list online can help to organize your big day more efficiently. People are more likely to RSVP quickly when it takes the simple click of a button and you can track who is and isn’t attending a lot more easily.
3. Traditional Invitations
If you choose to stick to the traditional route, there are plenty of places for you to purchase the invitations (and the enclosures that go with them, such as RSVP cards and maps). It’s generally best to have your invitations made by an individual or company who specializes in making wedding invitations, especially if your desired invitation design is complex.
Invitation specialists are more likely to produce something that meets your expectations, as they’ll have the experience and access to wedding-suitable fonts, paper cutting equipment, and high quality card stocks.
4. Responses
Make sure to allow at least 2-3 weeks between the “RSVP by” date and the wedding date. This way you’ll have time to contact anyone who hasn’t responded to see if they will be attending, so you can give your caterer an accurate head count.
Once you have your responses, when you get “no” responses you have the option to adjust your wedding guest list by sending out invitations off of a “B” list. Just make sure to get those invitations out on time! That way there is enough time to RSVP for the catering head count. And you don’t want it to be obvious that your “B-Listers” only made it to the second tier.
Sure, picking and choosing who is going to see you get married can be difficult. But have fun with the process and try not to stress about it!
* This is a contributed post
I hope you found this information about your wedding guest list useful!
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
For planning help and unique ideas for your wedding call or text me at 937-581-3647, or email me at [email protected]!
