You’ve created your draft wedding guest list – and you realize there are just a few too many people on there for your budget and venue. Cutting down a guest list is never fun. Trying to decide who should be invited and who shouldn’t can be uncomfortable, and it isn’t always clear where to make the cut. It can be a tricky dance trying to decide how to cut down your guest list when you’ve gone overboard, but these tips will help you figure out who should stay on the list and who should be crossed off.
Make an A List and B List
Before going crazy with cutting down your list, sort your draft list into an A list and a B list. The A list will include people that you absolutely will invite. The B list will include people you would like to have with you on your big day, but might need to not invite depending on the cuts you need to make. As you are doing cuts, also keep in mind that some people who you invite may not be able to make it, so you may be able to extend invitations to others at a later date.
Once you’ve created your lists, start going through your B list to decide who can be cut. Here are a few groups that you can consider taking off the list:
- Extended Family: You might feel obligated to invite every member of your extended family. However, if you haven’t spoken to some family members or even seen them in multiple years, it might be appropriate to make some cuts here.
- Co-Workers: You may spend just about every day of your week with them, but it doesn’t mean they need to be invited to your wedding – especially if you are throwing a small celebration. Leave co-workers off your guest list if you aren’t particularly close with them.
- Young Kids of Friends and Family: If you’ve added kids to your guest list, you may want to reconsider. Setting a “no kids” rule is a requirement that most of your adult guests will understand, and it could help tremendously with cutting down the list.
- Plus-Ones: If you’ve been generous with giving out plus-ones, consider cutting back. Try creating a rule for the plus-ones, such as no plus-ones for significant others that you haven’t met, or no plus ones for those who have only been dating for a little while. Be consistent with this rule so that you don’t step on anyone’s toes.
- Friends of Parents and In-Laws: Of course, the sets of parents will want to invite some of their friends – especially if they are helping with the wedding bill. Talk to them about what friends they should be inviting. A couple who your parents have been friends with since you were a baby should probably stay on the list, but a recent work friend who you’ve never even met can probably go.
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