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How to Narrow Down Your Guest List

Writer's picture: Nicole Marshall BrockNicole Marshall Brock


The number one thing to remember when it comes to deciding the guest list for you and your partner’s big day, is YOU! Your wedding day is supposed to be about the love and commitment you and your partner make to one another, not your Mother-in-Laws “best friend” she hasn’t seen in 25 years, or your Great Aunt Shelly you didn’t even know existed.


Let’s kickstart your guest list planning with the budget. If you have a smaller budget and/or smaller space, be sure to invite necessary friends and family. If this is difficult, consider a “first list” and “second list”, or an A and B list. Your first listers, or A list, are the people you can’t imagine your big day without. Everyone else would then go on the second list. When you start to receive RSVPs, dip into your second list as spots open up!


Giving everyone an early RSVP date allows more wiggle room to invite additional guests. It is very important to remember that when sending out additional invitations to second listers, MAKE SURE the RSVP date on your invites has not already passed. One way to handle this is to have a separate RSVP card included in your invites, so when your second round goes out, reprint other RSVP cards with a later date!


Another trick to consider when creating your guest list is thinking about the out-of-towners. If you have a lot of out-of-town guests, unless you truly are super close to the family member or friend, do not feel that you have to invite them. Travel is not cheap. Most of the time if you feel you are not very close to them, and take into consideration travel costs and planning, the guest will also feel the same way and not want to spend the additional money and time.


At the end of the day, it is up to the couple on what size they want and who they want to have on the final guest list. If you do find yourself in a tough situation, especially with family members who may be helping with the wedding day finances, it is important to discuss right away the matters of the final list. Creating open communication, guidelines, limits, etc. can help take the stress out of creating the final copy!


Check out my other blog posts about Spring weddings, fun add-ons to make your day special, and more, and follow us on Instagram @NicoleMarshallBrockEvents. As always, Cheers my Beautiful Brides!


-Nicole


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