Tips for Cutting Your Wedding Guest List

Keeping your guest list under control is the best way to simplify your wedding and make it affordable. Or perhaps your wedding venue limits the number of people you can invite. The problem is, how can you cut people from your guest list without hurting feelings or building resentment? Here are some tips to make it easier to keep your list under control.

Be Firm on the Numbers

Establish the number of guests early and stick to it. This will help people to understand that the decision not to invite so-and-so wasn’t personal—you had certain limitations. As soon as you start making exceptions, everyone who doesn’t get one will feel slighted.

Follow the Parity Principle

To the extent possible, balance the numbers between bride and groom. People can see the logic in this and understand it, again helping them to not feel personally slighted by not being invited.

Make the Guest List Together

Once you’ve got the numbers and established how many guests people can invite, get both families together to make the actual list. This will help everyone to feel the fairness of the process, and cut off the gossip and recriminations that can occur. (“I wanted to invite you, but his family wouldn’t let me.”)

Cut Based on Established Principles

This will also help you cut people from your list in a way that ensures you get the right people invited. Invite the people who are closest to you in three ways:

• Personal closeness: When was the last time you spoke with this person? How often do you speak with them?

• Familial closeness: Invite first cousins, but not second, etc.

• Geographic closeness: Invite people who are geographically close and can make it without hardship.

The list is by priority. It’s more important to make sure you invite personally close individuals than familial or geographically close.

If You Might Expand the Guest List, Send “Save the Date” Notices

If you’re limited by budget or space and might be able to invite more people later after the first wave of RSVPs comes in, let people know. This will show people that you really do value them and want them at your wedding. It will also help ensure people don’t make other plans for the day.

No matter what the size of your guest list, Stonebrook Manor in North Denver can accommodate you. Please contact us today to learn how we can help you make the perfect wedding.