How to Finalize Your Wedding Guest List

However, generally this rough guest list is made about a year before the actual wedding will take place. There is a good chance that once it’s time to order save the dates or invitations, you’ll have changed your mind about who you want to invite. Couples may have broken up, new relationships have started or gotten more serious, you’ve become closer to some friends while growing apart from others, family members are estranged or have reconciled – these are just some examples of why you might need to make some changes before finalizing the guest list.

When an adjusted guest list leads to fewer than you initially anticipated, it is usually an advantage. The money you had allocated on the enjoyment of attendees can now go farther, such as a wider array of appetizers at cocktail hour or expanding the bar to top-shelf liquor. On the other hand, if you find the guest list has now ballooned, you may have to make some cuts in order to accommodate the capacity of your venue. This can be tough, but usually is a necessity. It’s often most tempting to cut distant family members instead of friends, but tread carefully. If you eliminate all second cousins, that’s fine, but barring extreme family strife, one aunt invited means all of your aunts and uncles should be included.

New friendships, as well as relationships, are exciting and it’s understandable to want to invite these folks to your wedding. However, they’re more likely to understand not being included than your oldest pals. That said, if you haven’t hung out – or talked regularly, in cases of long distance – with someone for over a year, it may be time to accept the friendship has run its course. The most important thing is to make sure anyone you can’t imagine the day without is in attendance.

For more tips and ideas, learn design differences between save the dates and invitations and find out what to put on an RSVP card.