It is never easy deciding whom to invite to your wedding. This is one task that can be stressful for any couple. More often than not, the limitation in space and budget would help you arrive at a definite number when deciding how extensive the guest list should be. An estimate of the number of guests you plan to invite will provide a rough idea of whom you should invite. Thereafter, follow these tips to trim your wedding guest list further still:
#01 Two Categories
Divide your guests into two categories – ‘Must invite’ and ‘Would be nice to have’. As the RSVPs come in, invite someone from the ‘ Would be nice to have’ list for each ‘Must invite’ guest that can’t attend.
#02 Do they know you are engaged? Do they know your fiancé?
If the answer is no, it’s safe to say that your relationship isn’t significant enough to warrant an invitation.
#03 The One Year Rule
If you have not spoken to our seen someone in over a year, you don’t have to bother inviting them. Even if said person used to be a close friend, but your friendship has fizzled, it would be safe to say that they won’t feel offended even if they do not receive and invitation. This means leaving out the high school/college friend you have not connected with in the last five years. Also, if you are sure that you are rarely ever going to speak to them or see them after your wedding, drop them off your guest list.
#04 Limit Parent’s Friends
Remember your wedding if about the both of you, so unless your parents’ friends are also close family friends, let your parents know gently that not all of their friends are going to be included in the list. If you’re going to implement this policy, make sure both sides of the family are going to adhere to it.
#05 The Singles Club
It is not necessary to extend ‘plus one’ invitations to all your single friends. If lots of their friends are also invited, chances are they’d be happy to come solo.
#06 Colleagues
If you don’t hang out with your colleagues after working hours, it’s ok not to invite them to your wedding. Making it a blanket policy is the easiest way around it. However, if you do have one or two colleagues you consider friends and your relationship is universally known to the whole team, it should be quite certain that there will be no hard feelings if you were to invite them only.
#07 The No Kids Policy
Wedding receptions are generally adult functions since they run late into the night. You can inform your friends with kids that your wedding is for adults only. Bear in mind, you may have to make an exception when it comes to close relatives.
#08 Estranged relatives
Being Asian, this is a tricky one, your parents will probably want to invite all your relatives. Unless your parents are paying the bill, let them know (nicely!) that they can’t invite everyone. Try leaving out estranged or distant relatives for a start. It will help if you were to extend this policy to both sides of the family so no one feels slighted.
#09 Having To Make A Long Trip
If your guests are from out of town and live a pricey plane ride away, consider leaving them out unless they play an important role in your life. Set up a virtual feed for this group of guest during your ceremony.
#10 Have a Second Wedding Reception
Having a second wedding reception would definitely increase the budget. If you have the budget for it, have a second wedding reception where your colleagues, parents’ friends and colleagues can be included. The first reception would follow the ceremony, making it a more scaled down and intimate affair.