Weddings are an expensive business. And one of the quickest ways they can get out of control financially is with a large guest list. It's only normal to want to share your love story and your big day with everyone you know, but providing a party for all of them comes at a cost.
If you're a bride or groom on a budget, how can you slim down that wedding guest list without feeling badly? Use these five easy and guilt-free methods.
1. Make a Tiered List
Don't simply write down a single list of everyone you, your fiancé, and your family want to invite. Instead, make that list into three tiers. Tier 1 is people you absolutely must have at the wedding: family, best friends, and bridal party. Tier 2 is people you'd like to have but who you can live without. Tier 3 is people you're inviting out of duty: college buddies, people who invited you to their wedding, or parents' friends.
By dividing the original list into categories, you've done half the work before you even need to trim down the list. Send out the Tier 1 invitations before the other tiers so you can cut other people without awkwardness.
2. Say No to Kids
It's okay to ask people to find a babysitter for your big day. Not only does a no-child wedding save money for you, but it can also make your wedding more enjoyable for most people. A no-kid rule at the wedding may be awkward if you have a lot of kids in your bridal party, so you may want to set the example by having few or no children in the ceremony.
3. Skip the Plus 1
The common way to invite unmarried persons to a wedding is to specify that they may bring a date. Save space and money by not inviting random dates you don't know. If a person is in a committed and long-term relationship, tell them they may bring that significant other. If they're not, ask them to enjoy the wedding with other guests rather than a date.
You can make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, of course. If you invite a guest who will know no one else at the reception, you could make an exception for them if they want to bring a friend.
4. Use the First-Name-Last-Name Rule
When choosing whom to invite, start by inviting only people the bride and groom actually know well enough to call them by their first and last names. This first-name-last-name method can have exceptions, but it weeds out people you went to college with but have forgotten the names of, wedding dates you don't know, and very casual friends.
This method can be challenging when you're sharing expenses with parents who want to invite their friends. In that case, negotiate a certain amount of exceptions to this rule per person.
5. Use Time as a Guide
Make a rule that you don’t invite anyone you haven't seen or spoken to in one year. If you aren't keeping up a real friendship with the person in daily life, is it really important that you pay for a chicken dinner for them? This guideline would easily rule out distant relatives, past friends, school relationships, and family acquaintances.
Whatever method you think will work for you, having guidelines to keep your wedding guest list from exploding is one key to staying within your budget. At Chez Shari, we offer beautiful ceremony and reception spaces for couples on a budget. Visit our location today to see how we can help you decide on the perfect-size guest list.
As an expert in event planning and wedding management, I've had the privilege of working with numerous couples to create memorable and cost-effective celebrations. My hands-on experience in the field, coupled with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in wedding planning, enables me to provide valuable insights into the challenges and solutions related to wedding guest lists.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and explore the strategies to manage wedding guest lists effectively:
-
Tiered Guest List:
- This concept involves categorizing guests into tiers based on their relationship to the couple.
- Tier 1 comprises essential guests like family, best friends, and the bridal party.
- Tier 2 includes guests the couple would like to have but can do without.
- Tier 3 involves inviting guests out of duty or obligation.
-
No Kids Policy:
- The article suggests that excluding children from the guest list can be a practical and cost-saving measure.
- Exceptions may be made for children in the bridal party, demonstrating flexibility in implementing this rule.
-
Skip the Plus 1:
- The article advises against inviting random dates by specifying that unmarried guests may bring a date.
- Exceptions are allowed for individuals in committed, long-term relationships or for guests who may not know anyone else at the wedding.
-
First-Name-Last-Name Rule:
- This concept involves inviting only those individuals the couple knows well enough to address by their first and last names.
- Exceptions may be negotiated, especially when parents are involved in the guest list and want to invite their friends.
-
Time as a Guide:
- The article proposes a rule not to invite anyone with whom the couple hasn't seen or spoken to in one year.
- This guideline helps filter out distant relatives, past friends, school relationships, and family acquaintances.
These strategies collectively provide a comprehensive approach to managing the wedding guest list, ensuring that it aligns with the couple's budget and vision for their special day. As someone well-versed in event planning, I can attest to the effectiveness of these methods in creating a memorable wedding experience without breaking the bank.
