How to decide who gets invited to your wedding

Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life, but sometimes the guest list can turn into a nightmare. If you're struggling with who to invite to your big day, don't worry - we're here to help! In this post, we'll give you some tips on how to decide who gets invited to your wedding. By the end, you'll have a guest list that you can be proud of. So let's get started!

Decide on the number of people you can realistically invite

When deciding who to invite to your wedding, it is important to first figure out the size of your venue, as this will determine how many people you can realistically accommodate. Additionally, know your budget and how much you can afford for an average cost of a wedding per guest, as this number will vary depending on the size of your guest list.

With a smaller guest list, you might be able to afford to spend more per guest. With a larger guest list, you might get to see more people, but might have to cut back on some of the 'extras'. Thinking about these factors early on in the process can help inform who should be given priority at being invited. After all, your wedding day should be extraordinary and special; so creating a guest list that fits into your budget is essential!

Make a list of everyone you would like to invite, including family, friends, and co-workers

Preparing a guest list for your wedding can be one of the most exciting parts of the planning process! Begin by making a list of anyone and everyone you’d like to invite, from family members to old neighbors, from friends to co-workers. Friends and family are essential for any wedding, so be sure to make your list as inclusive as possible.

Consider unique combinations, such as extended family, people who have impacted all stages of your life, and even a few special surprises. Having an open-mind towards guest list ideas is sure to make your special day even more unforgettable.

Start with immediate family members and work your way down the list

When it comes to deciding who makes the list for your wedding, start with your immediate family members. As each couple adds kids to the family tree, it becomes a bit more complicated as everyone wants their kids to be included in the festivities. Take your time to determine which kids will be included in your celebration.

Once that part is taken care of, you can then work on decisions within immediate family and close friends - cousins, nieces/nephews, and so forth! The most important thing is that you have happy memories at the end of this process and you love those who make up your special day!

If you're still undecided, consider who is important to you and who would add to the overall atmosphere of your wedding

Choosing your wedding guests is no small task! If you’re still undecided, one approach to consider is reflecting on who is important to you in life and if they would add to the overall atmosphere of your wedding day. Think of people who might enrich the day by adding a special sense of joy or happiness.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be close friends and family, either; perhaps that colleague has always been such an encouraging presence at work, or your neighbor always made time for a chat when you needed it most. Remember that ultimately this is your day and there should be as much love and care as possible - so take some time for yourself to ponder these matters with kindness.

Want to learn more about envelope addressing etiquette? Check out  my blog post on Modern Addressing Rules.

Don't forget to send out save-the-dates so that everyone has plenty of time to prepare!

As you're working on that guest list - it can get really hard, but you don't want to miss is sending out save-the-dates! Save-the-dates should be sent around 6-12 months in advance of the wedding date, so your guests have plenty of time to plan their schedule and make arrangements to join you on such an important day.

It's recommended that you send them even earlier if your event will happen during high travel seasons. Shop in my store for stylish save-the-date announcement cards that match the theme and tone of your big day! Click the photo to shop!