Before Trimming Your Wedding Guest List
The guest list cannot go over the absolute maximum number of people that can fit into your reception hall. This maximum number is what all brides and grooms need to be aware of before trying to trim the guest list. Immediate family and the closest friends should be at the beginning of the guest list. You can add and subtract from the list as you think of those who you would like to invite. Once the list is completed, each family should check it over and agree to the final count. Cost per plate at the reception may be another factor that will determine how many you invite. Sticking to a budget may not be easy but cutting down on the guest list can help to keep the budget as planned.
You Were Best Friends When?
Many people have best friends in high school or college but when it comes to seeing them now is another story. Just because the bride or groom had great friends years ago, that they did everything with all the time, doesn’t mean they need to be invited to the wedding. If you haven’t seen those friends in a year or even talked to them on the phone, you can leave them off your invite list. If you want to get together with them afterwards, just give them a call and make a dinner date. Allow your parents to invite only their closest friends.
Long Distant Family Members
We all have family members that live in different states that we either have not met or have not seen in a long time. They may be family, but no, you do not need to invite all the long distant relatives to your wedding when you need to cut down on the guest list. Keep close family members on the list because the long distant ones may never find out about the wedding until long after your special day.
Hurt Feelings May Occur
Sometimes the budget just can not fit everyone into the event. Weddings are great for the families to get together but there always needs to be a cut off if the budget is going to stay on track. You may have been invited to your cousins wedding but you have chosen not to invite that cousin to your wedding. If the relationship has changed, than it is fine to leave that cousin off the guest list. Bringing dates to the wedding can also be limited to those who are in serious relationships. This will stop the single person from inviting just anyone to your wedding.
Cut the Whole List Out
When cutting the guests off your wedding list is getting to difficult, there is another option. The bride and groom can inform just the closets of family members and friends that you want them with you when you elope. That will make all the decision making of trimming your guests list down not a problem. The bride and groom can inform those they want at their wedding where the ceremony will take place, when and at what location any dinner party might take place afterwards. If family and friends show up, that is fine, if not, that is fine too. The bride and groom will have less stress and more fun.