Deciding who should receive an invitation to your magical day is not always easy. You can easily shave off the second cousin twice removed and the friend you have not seen in forever, but the list you are building can become more complicated. Whether it is the budget or a guest that would make your significant other feel a little awkward, we have the answers. Keep reading to discover a few tips for creating a wedding guest list.
The Wedding Party
While you should not choose your wedding party until you have chosen the venue, the wedding party should receive priority on the guest list. You will begin your wedding planning journey with an estimated size of your wedding day. Then you will need to squeeze your guests in the size wedding you imagine or make a few cuts. The wedding party does not get cut, and must be included on the list for seating and catering.
The wedding party will have a supportive role with planning, and stand by your side during the ceremony. Not every wedding takes the same shape. You might have two or ten in a line at the wedding arch. This decision is all yours. Just make sure to add them to your guest count before inviting other guests, since these are special people that are participating in the wedding. Do not forget to add their significant other to the list. If you are planning to have children in attendance, you should also add their children to the list.
Family on the Wedding Guest List
Family is at the very top of the wedding guest list. Begin with your innermost circle, and then work your way towards distant family members and friends. The wedding guest list usually begins with parents, followed by siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. If there is room in your budget, you can expand your list to include distant family.
Close Friends
Close friends are next to family and usually make the wedding guest list. This list can be a little easier to create, considering they must be in your life on the regular to make the list. If you go months or years without speaking to this person, you might want to rethink adding them to the wedding guest list.
Professional Circle
Coworkers form a professional circle and can become very important people in your life that you might want to add to the wedding guest list. If your budget is small, invite very close friends from work, instead of the entire office. If you feel like you are going to get into an uncomfortable situation of picking and choosing, you can always keep the wedding guest list limited to very close family and friends outside of work. If the subject is discussed at work, you can just explain that your planning a very small and intimate wedding.
Challenges of Creating a Wedding Guest List
One of the most challenging parts of creating a wedding guest list is dividing it by two. There is a bride’s side and a groom’s side to consider. The general rule is to allot the same number of guests for the groom as for the bride. Also, each guest that you invite will naturally bring a date. That doubles your guest count. If you are allowing children at your wedding, you will need to add space for the children. This can create an unequal count when thinking in terms of adults and children. With your budget in mind, set a comfortable number for the guest count and work with your partner to make room for those that are important to both of you.
Be Mindful
The wedding guest list can be sensitive for some. There might not be room for certain people in your budget. You might find yourself avoiding the subject with some and leaving someone out. The wedding party could be a little smaller and leave that one friend wondering why they were never asked to be part of your special day. You are not required to invite someone to avoid hurt feelings. However, you should be mindful of the situation. Be careful not to invite someone to a smaller event, such as the bridal shower, bachelorette party or rehearsal dinner that is not being invited to the wedding. Never invite someone to your wedding that would make your significant other feel awkward. The wedding guest list is an area of planning that requires compromise. If you find yourself hurting feelings, just explain you are planning a small event.
Keep the Wedding Guest List and Save the Money
Many couples believe the best way to have a more affordable wedding is to have a smaller one. This is not always the case. You can save thousands in your wedding budget by hosting your wedding at an all-inclusive wedding venue. This provides a space for the ceremony and reception at one venue, and includes all of the furnishings, flowers, décor and services. Rather than eliminating guests, get creative and plan differently.
Crystal Ballroom Ocala
Create your perfect wedding day with all those on the guest list, and host your dream wedding at Crystal Ballroom Ocala. Step inside of the design studio and meet with professional wedding designers, planners and floral designers. This all-inclusive venue includes all of the furnishings and décor. It eliminates the need for expensive rentals, and creates a breathtakingly beautiful space for those that matter. Host your ceremony and reception at Crystal Ballroom, and experience a fairy tale in a picturesque venue designed just for you.
