Who’s Invited?
Let’s be honest, weddings are expensive, especially when it comes to the never-ending guest list from your mom’s side of the family. It’s easy to be swallowed up by guilt for not inviting your distant relatives that you haven’t seen since you were five years old. Perhaps your family might apply some pressure to convince you to invite an extra hundred people that you have absolutely no connection or relationship with – but whose wedding is it anyway? Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating a guest list:
Create a List of Must-Have Guests:
First things first, write down all your loved ones who you couldn’t imagine not being at your wedding. For some, this may include more family than friends, but for others, more friends are preferred than family. Generally, the names you include on this list might be the people you have continuous relationships with. This list will serve as a basis for the number of guests that is a must for your wedding.
Consider the Influence of Each Guest in Your Life:
The last thing you want at your wedding is a guest you associate negative emotions or memories with. Perhaps you might feel obligated to invite that person if they are in close connection to your immediate family or friend group. Your guest list essentially can reflect the environment of your wedding and your own experience. If all your guests create fond and positive emotions for you, then perfect. But if there are a few guests you threw on the list to avoid hurt feelings, think about how having them present at your wedding might impact you.
Create Your Guest List Guilt-Free:
Now that you might have a better idea of who you want at your wedding, stick to that list. At the end of the day, this is your big day. There should be no guilt in choosing to add or remove a few people from your list. Think of it this way, when your big day is over, will you be satisfied with who you invited to celebrate with you?