November 18, 2020 | Eul Basa

How To Plan Your Wedding's Guest List


The wedding planning is well underway! Now that you’re in the thick of it, one of the most important items to check off is who to invite. It may sound easy on the surface, but wedding invitations can be one of the biggest headaches in the planning process. Does your weird Uncle Kevin get an invite, even though you haven’t seen him in nine years? How about Betty from the office, the one who ate your lunch?

You no longer need to worry about wedding invites, though. Here are a few surefire ways to clip the list and only invite those who matter to you.

Setting a Budget 

When you’re planning the invites, chances are you already have a budget in mind . You don’t need to spend more than you can afford to appease everyone. After speaking with caterers and getting price points, you’ll have an idea of how much each plate costs. Plus, your wedding favors, seating, and drinks need to be considered as well. Remember costs when picking the right people.

Calculator and notepad placed over stack of USA dollarsPexels

Come Up With a System 

Before you start making cuts, write down everyone you’d want to invite. Even if you have several hundred guests listed, that doesn’t mean they all make the final cut. When deciding who to keep, there are a few questions you should ask:

  • Have you spoken to them in the last few years?
  • Are you under an “obligation” to invite them?
  • Do you want to have kids at the wedding?
  • When was the last time you saw that one family member?
  • Do friends with partners you’ve never met before get a plus-one?
  • Are you inviting everyone from the office or no one?

Once you answer all the tough questions, you can then start assigning numbers or letters to each guest. Some people opt for using a letter system (yeses get A’s, maybes get B’s, etc.), others use numbers, separate documents, or color-coded tabs. Whatever you pick, having the visuals in front of you will help you nix certain people.

Photo of Man and Woman Talking to Each OtherPexels

Advertisement

You’re Under No Obligations 

A large issue people have is with their parents and in-laws. Unfortunately, if they’re helping with costs, they may feel they have the right to invite people. But, never lose sight of your role: it’s your day, so you’re the boss. Don’t let your mother-in-law invite her book club or your father invite his poker buddies. But, if you need to avoid the drama, a traditional rule of thumb is to let each set of parents get a quarter of the guest list. So, if you want to let them invite some people, they’ll have a small window.

That said, depending on who you cut (no kids, no plus-ones, no distant relatives, etc.), there will be some difficult conversations. However, there are some workarounds and respectful ways to break the news. If you experience some pushback from people, don’t cater to them. If you do it for them, chances are you’ll have to do it for everyone.

Remember, if someone doesn’t understand your budget or they don’t respect your decisions, they’re not really friends. It’s your wedding, so don’t bring anyone you don’t want to. Not to mention, do you really want to share your special day with people you don’t know or even like?

Woman's hand using a pen noting on notepadPexels

Additional Tips

There are some other things to keep in mind as well. First, try not to include last-minute additions. Remember, if they didn’t make your first list, chances are they’re not as close to you as you think. It also saves you the headache of having to accommodate more people when you’re down to the wire.

Also, when you send out RSVP cards, include the names of each guest you want to attend. It’s not unheard of for people to try and cram several names on their cards… even if you didn’t invite them. So, avoid the hassle by only including names that were on the actual guest list.

Plotting your wedding guest list won’t be easy, but it doesn’t have to be a nuisance either. Color-code everything, really think about your contacts, and stick to your budget!

Bride And Groom PhotoshootPexels


READ MORE

40 Ways To Lower Your Living Expenses In 2025

We've all been feeling the pinch of inflation in 2024—everything has increased, from gasoline to clothing, food, and much more. Looking ahead into 2025, many of you may want to decrease your living expenses without necessarily having to take drastic financial measures or make massive lifestyle changes. Here are 40 ways to lower your living expenses next year.
December 11, 2024 Jack Hawkins

How To Easily Save $600 In 30 Days

Saving $600 in a month isn't always that hard. Change a few small habits, adopt smart spending strategies, and see how you do. You'll definitely notice extra savings in 30 days.
December 12, 2024 Jane O'Shea

Hacks To Save Money On Groceries Without Sacrificing Quality

Grocery shopping shouldn’t always be expensive. Actions like smart shopping, meal planning, and substitution hacks can change those grocery trips from budget busters into money-saving victories.
December 10, 2024 Jane O'Shea

Side Hustles Vs. Part-Time Jobs: Which Makes More Cash?

Whether you're looking for part-time jobs to make ends meet or a side hustle to earn extra cash, let's explore which type of money-making gig would work best for you.
December 9, 2024 Jack Hawkins

25 Smart Ways To Save Money While Travelling

Exploring national or international places won’t cost a fortune with smart strategies. Prior research, creative planning, and soft skills can save a lot more than most people might think!
December 11, 2024 Jane O'Shea

Finance Guru Dave Ramsey's Best Money Advice

Podcaster and financial guru Dave Ramsey went from a millionaire—to broke in his twenties—and then re-gained his financial status in his thirties. Find out how he did it and how it could work for you by adopting some of Dave's best financial advice.
December 11, 2024 Jack Hawkins



Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to [email protected]. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team