You should share your wedding day with those who are the closest to you. This number can range anywhere from 50 all the way to 500. It would be wonderful to throw a huge celebration in honor of your wedding; however, you do have to pay per plate. So when you go over your guest list to decide who you are sending invitations to, think twice before adding your father’s neighbor’s son’s first cousin. But how do you decide who to cut? With inspiration from theknot.com, here is a list of ways you can trim the guest list.
Look at your budget
Your budget is completely dependent on who is paying for it. If both of your parents are splitting the costs, then they will feel as if they have the most say in who is invited to the wedding. This may seem okay because they are paying, but you have to know the people who they invite. If they are inviting guests who you never met, then it is time to let them know that you want to spend your day with the people who are or were active in your life. Perhaps you are paying all of the bills, theknot.com recommends that “allocate a specific number to each side.”
Prioritize your venue and guests
This goes for your venue and the people who you are thinking of inviting. When thinking of your venue, theknot.com says, “Figure out which is more important to you: more guests or a specific venue.” Once you and your fiancé sit down and review your venue options, pay attention to what amenities you are getting and what you are both willing to give up or compromise on for the sake of your budget. Perhaps you do not need to get married in a mansion, but a venue that has a grand ballroom and outdoor space. Once you both realize what you truly need, it will be easier to knock places off of the list. Furthermore, knock off guests on your list that you have not seen or spoken too in the past three to five years. Just because they were your best friend when you were in kindergarten does not mean they remained in your life through high school or college.
Find out the policy on Kids
Some venues may not charge you an adult plate for children, but generally there is an age range for children. Some venues have you pay full price, while others charge you half a plate. Therefore, it is important to know what the kid policy is. If you have to pay for their plate, you may risk raising your guest list so you could include more adult friends and family. Theknot.com suggests that “If you don’t want to invite kids, make sure the outer and inner envelopes of your invitations are addressed in such a way that it’s clear children aren’t included (Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Anderson as opposed to The Anderson Family).” But if they do not get the message and include their kids in their RSVP, call them to kindly explain your financial situation.
Consider having a Destination Wedding
This may seem like an expensive alternative, but you can really have an intimate ceremony and reception if you decide to take your wedding abroad. By having a destination wedding, you can significantly cut down your guest list because most likely a few people are not going to be able to make it and they cannot expect you to pay for their airfare—except for your immediate family. This is a spontaneous and fun alternative, and can only be done if you are fully committed!
