3 Steps To Creating The Perfect Guest List For Your Wedding
As I have said time and time again one of the first things to planning a wedding is establishing the guest list right away
. Often times when the engagement is announced mothers and mother-in-laws get busy making a list of everyone in their address book, or from church, or the clerk at the grocery store....and so on and so on. The list quickly becomes never ending. However, there are 3 simple steps that can lead you straight to the final guest list and keep (most) people happy!
Step 1: Evaluate the Wedding/ Reception Budget
No one wants to jump right in to the financial side of planning the wedding and reception, but it must be done. You need to realistically evaluate what you have set aside for both the wedding and the reception. The guests' list does not even have to be the same; you could invite more people to your reception and make your wedding more intimate and have your wedding at a smaller venue. If you must have a large guest list and there is no way getting around it and your budget is tight be willing to think outside the box and find ways to cut budget without cutting corners. Perhaps change the day or the time and make it around meals and only have appetizers. It's okay not to invite every person that you know. After the evaluation you should have a head count on how many to invite. Think about how much it will cost to have each person at your wedding and leave a little leeway for a few extras.
Step 2: Communicate With Your Fianc
The two of you need to agree on what you both want in your wedding. You may have the dream of a huge cathedral wedding with ornate flower arrangements and he may dream of a simple barefoot beach wedding. Somehow the two of you need to meet in the middle. Assuming the budget is set and you know how many you can invite you now need to determine how many you want to invite. If you want to invite less than you can afford then great, you're on the right path already. Either save the money or splurge in other areas. (I prefer save, but if you must....) On the other hand if you find that you want to invite more than the budget is allowing see if you can compromise on your choices to make it work. If you can wonderful; and if not then you need to cut the list down. You will be happier in the end not being in debt. Whatever your personal situation is make the day something that both of you will enjoy.
Step 3: Finalize the Decisions
After communicating with your spouse and deciding how many people you can and want to invite you may want to branch out and talk to other family to see if there is anyone that you forgot. If the list is already determined by you and your fianc then stop at that. Decide whether families or couples will be invited and note this on the invite. Send R.S.V.P's in order to get a rough number of who will be in attendance.
It sounds like an overwhelming and daunting task to come up with the perfect guest list, but as you can read it really not that hard at all. Once you relax and follow the 3 simple steps you'll find it's easy as eating pie... or wedding cake!
Copyright (c) 2010 Stephanie Lopez
by: Stephanie Lopez
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