How to Write your Wedding Guest List.

One of the first things on your wedding to-do list is to put together your guest list. You’ll need to have a rough idea of your numbers so that you can start thinking about your budget and finding the perfect wedding venue in North Wales that is the right size for the number of guests you’ll have attending your wedding. Settling on a wedding guest list that keeps everyone happy can seem like an incredibly unsettling task, but it really doesn’t need to be. Here are some tips on how you can simplify the process. 

First of all, write down a list of all the people you and your partner would consider inviting starting with immediate family and close friends, then move on to distant relatives, colleagues, old school friends and so on. Don’t worry if this list is huge! The chances are that it will be, but it’s better to start big and get smaller. Then add your parent’s input, and include their guests. It certainly is your decision who you want/don’t want on the guest list but loop your parents into the discussion early to avoid any friction further down the line, especially if they are to be contributing to the wedding costs. 

Single out the must-haves! The people most important to you, the ones you simply wouldn’t want to get married without them being there. Mark these out or highlight their names. 

The next step is pretty crucial - deciding on a budget! After gathering prices and options from all of your favourite venues, it’s time to narrow down the shortlist so that it goes hand in hand with your guest list numbers. Knowing the venue cost per head will determine the total number of guests you have to play with.

Once you’re set on the best venue/price per head, it’s time to get back to the guest list and see how many spaces are left over after all of your must-haves. One thing to note here is that you must try your best to be as fair as possible and not to favour one side of the family over the other. Try to make everyone feel as equal as possible. For the disappointed folk who didn’t make the list, it’s much more understanding if there is an across the board explanation like “unfortunately we don’t have any space to invite our Uncles and Aunties”, rather than “we’re much closer to the one side of the family”. People you really don’t need to worry about are plus ones you’ve never met or don’t really know, other people’s children (if you want a child-free wedding, have a child-free wedding), people who invited you to your wedding or anyone who you’re inviting out of guilt. Remember, this is a day for you and your partner to celebrate. It’s one day of your life, and anyone who really cares will be there for you long after the wedding takes place, whether they’ve made the list or not. 

Another handy tip is to stagger your invites. Allow plenty of time for this (at least 8 weeks prior) as you’ll need to give people enough time to plan ahead, especially if they’ll be travelling from afar. There will inevitably be a few “I’m sorry, I can’t make it” when the RSVPs start coming back. Don’t take offence by these, it’s not that you’ve been snubbed! Once you’ve received the first round of RSVPs, it’s time to get back to the master list and see how many spots you can fill with the people you couldn’t find room for the first time around. Be quick here though, as you don’t want people to feel like they’re only just been upgraded from the reject list. 

Looking for further inspiration?

For guidance of how to go about planning your wedding, check out our Ultimate wedding planning guide here.

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