6 Tips for Creating a Wedding Guest List
Hi friends! As your trusted wedding invitation designer, I’m here to share a little bit of advice for one of the first steps of wedding planning: creating a wedding guest list. It feels like a huge task, doesn’t it? But don’t worry, because I’ve distilled this process into six easy tips (I promise!), ensuring you can keep the vibes high as you sit down and start creating a wedding guest list you love!
But, before we jump into the details, a heartfelt welcome to Kindly Delivered! My passion lies in adding the unique flair of every couple I work with in the pieces I craft. Offering a tailored experience from our first hello to the moment your dream stationery is in your hands, I’d love to help YOU next. Ready to begin? Discover how we can work together by clicking here. Or, dive right in with a quick click here!
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1. Look at Your Budget
Let’s start with the cornerstone of wedding planning—your budget. Another thing on your to do list you weren’t looking forward to, right? But the truth is, your wedding budget does impact every decision you make, and creating a wedding guest list is no exception. When it comes to creating a wedding guest list, your budget plays the starring role. Remember, each guest is a portion of your budget, so think wisely and affectionately about who you wish to share this day with.
Looking to save money on your wedding invitations? Check out my new semi-custom collection for a touch of elegance that’s gentle on your budget, and perfect for curating your day without compromise.
2. Create a “Nice to Have” vs. “MUST Have” List
The process of creating a wedding guest list involves careful selection. First, it starts with identifying the “MUST haves”—the people whose presence is MOST important for your big day. Make sure to talk to your partner and agree on who those people are (or consider setting some ground rules for yourselves and each other, like “you must have both met them” or “you must have known them for X amount of time”).
Next, consider the “nice to haves,” those who you would love to invite, but wouldn’t choose to cut anyone on your “must have” list for. While this can seem like an extra step, I promise you that this method makes it easier to prioritize, ensuring that your closest and most important guests are by your side. Then, once your further along in your wedding planning journey, you can firmly decide who gets an invitation.
3. Consider Plus Ones and Children
Next, it’s time to start thinking about whether you want to offer plus ones (and to whom). You may decide to have a blanket rule (like couples who are living together are both invited), or you may decide on a case-by-case basis.
On the same note, consider whether or not children will be invited or not. Do you envision a family-friendly celebration or an adults-only event where guests can enjoy the festivities without any worries? That said, it’s also important to know that if children aren’t invited, some guests may not be able to attend. There’s no right or wrong decision, and it’s a choice that deeply reflects the kind of atmosphere you wish to create.
4. Start an Excel Spreadsheet
I’m admittedly Type-A, so it’s no surprise that I believe organization is your best friend when planning a wedding. To get you started, you can download my free guest list tracker and workbook here. This ready-made tool was designed by yours truly to help make compiling and tracking your guest list a lot easier. Think of it as my gift to you, offering convenience and simplicity at your fingertips. When we work together to design your invitations, you can expect even more surprises like this!
5. Keep Track of Total Households (Not Just Guests) for Invitations
A golden nugget of wisdom—when it comes to invitations, think in terms of households, not individuals. Each household represents a unit in your grand celebration, and tracking them as such streamlines your process, from addressing invitations to managing RSVPs.
Choosing between traditional paper RSVPs or online RSVP’s, managing your guest list can be a complex part of the wedding planning adventure. However, this task can be made much easier with the help of a wedding planner who includes RSVP management as part of their services.
6. Last but NOT Least: Start Planning Wedding Invitations!
Last but certainly not least, it’s time to turn your attention to one of the most exciting aspects of wedding planning: the invitations! Ok, I might be a little biased here but this is where your unique love story begins to take tangible form, inviting friends and family to be a part of your special day. Wedding invitations are not just mere announcements; they are a reflection of your style, setting the tone for what guests can expect at your celebration.
They are also the longest-lasting pieces of your wedding day. Whether you lean towards classic elegance, modern simplicity, or something entirely bespoke, your invitations are a first glimpse into the atmosphere and theme of your wedding. Now that your guest list is set, you can give this step the focus it deserves. Ensuring every detail from the paper quality to the font style aligns perfectly with your vision.
The Art Behind Creating a Wedding Guest List
Finally, if you’re in search of a unique wedding invitation designer (and a connoisseur of all things stationery, too!), I’d be absolutely thrilled to join forces with you! Ready to get started? Book a conversation with me right here! And don’t forget, for those who want a little extra help creating a wedding guest list, my free guest list tracker and workbook is just a click away. Here’s to the beginning of a beautiful journey, may it be as unique and lovely as your love story.
