WV Weddings Editor Nikki Bowman Mills shares eight questions to help you determine who should make the cut on your wedding guest list.
Planning a pared-down wedding?
Whether you are planning a 30-person or a 130-person wedding, inevitably your first attempt at a wedding guest list will undoubtedly shock you. The number-one thing that affects your budget is the number of guests you invite, so figuring out how to shrink your wedding guest list can be key. Additionally, fewer people means you can spend more per guest to create a more memorable wedding day experience—and save money. And one thing that planning an event in the midst of a pandemic has taught us is that going smaller doesn’t mean your special day will be any less amazing. In fact, more people are hesitant to be around large crowds, so no one’s feelings are going to be hurt when you explain that you’ve opted to have a more intimate celebration or micro-wedding. Here are eight questions to help you whittle that wedding guest list down.
ask these questions to shrink your wedding guest list
ASK THESE QUESTIONS TO SHRINK YOUR WEDDING GUEST LIST
- Has the person met your fiancé(e)?
If the answer is “no,” now’s not the time for introductions.
- Are you in regular contact with the person?
Does this person know where you live and what you do professionally? Is this a person you reach out to on a regular basis? If not, don’t invite.
- Did you tell this person personally about your engagement?
A good rule of thumb is that, if you didn’t share the happy news with them or if they didn’t reach out and congratulate you personally on your engagement, then they shouldn’t make the list.
- Will the person know anyone else at your wedding?
Since your space is limited, now’s not the time to feel like you need to be making introductions so your guests are comfortable with one another.
- Is it a family member? Have you seen this person at a family gathering in the past couple of years?
Even if you are from a large family, you shouldn’t feel pressured to invite everyone. Invite those family members who you stay in regular contact with.
- Is this person someone you plan on staying in contact with for the rest of your life?
Play out this scenario: If the person were to move out of state, would you visit them?
- Does your fiancé(e) like the person?
When you have a smaller wedding, you will be able to interact more with your guests. If there is someone your partner is not fond of, don’t make it awkward by adding them to your list.
- Did the person invite you to their wedding?
Most people believe that if you were invited to someone else’s wedding, then you should invite them to yours. But that was pre-COVID-19. In the current climate, ask yourself: Would you be hurt if they didn’t invite you to their nuptials now?