Planning a wedding is exciting, but it can also come with tough decisions—one of the scariest being how to cut your wedding guest list down! Whether you’re working within a budget, want a more intimate ceremony, or just prefer a smaller gathering, trimming down your wedding guest list can be challenging.
Use these 6 practical tips to help cut your wedding guest list down with no hard feelings!
Expert tips to cut your wedding guest list down
1. Start with the immediate family and close friends
Before you think about everyone else, write down the names of your immediate family and closest friends—the people you can’t imagine getting married without. These are your non-negotiables. Think parents, siblings, and your very best friends. If you haven’t spoken to someone in more than a year (and it wasn’t due to a significant reason like living in different cities), it might be a sign that they aren’t a priority for your big day!
Formula: Immediate family + best friends = Must-invite list.
2. Limit plus-ones
It’s tempting to give everyone a plus-one, but this can quickly bloat your guest list. A good rule of thumb is to offer plus-ones to guests who are married, engaged, or in a long-term relationship. For others, it’s perfectly acceptable to invite them solo. Remember, your wedding isn’t a free-for-all party; it’s a celebration of your love.
Formula: Married/engaged/in long-term relationships + close friends = Plus-ones allowed.
3. No kids allowed
Children are adorable, but they can also add a lot to your guest count (and budget). Consider having an adults-only wedding, or limit the invitation to children of close family members only. Most guests will understand, and some might even appreciate a night off from parenting duties.
4. Re-think any “obligation invites”
We all have those people we feel like we “should” invite—coworkers, distant relatives, or old friends you haven’t seen in years. Ask yourself if you’d genuinely enjoy their company at your wedding. If the answer is no, consider leaving them off the list. Your wedding day should be filled with people who truly care about you and your partner.
5. Consider your venue’s capacity
Your venue plays a huge role in determining your guest list size. If your venue can only accommodate a certain number of people, use that as a hard limit to guide your decisions- and excuse if you happen to get any blowback from uninvited guests—most will understand that space is limited.
6. Have an A-list and a B-list
Create two separate guest lists: one for the people you absolutely want to be there (your A-list), and another for those you’d like to invite if space allows (your B-list). As you receive RSVPs, you can start sending out invitations to those on your B-list if spots open up.
We hope these tips for how to cut your wedding guest list down help you plan your dream wedding! Did you already over-invite? Use these tips for disinviting people from your wedding.
Still looking for a gorgeous wedding venue? Consider Hightower Falls, the best North Georgia outdoor wedding venue.
At Hightower Falls in North Georgia, we understand that every wedding is unique, just like every couple. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony with your closest friends and family or a larger celebration, our venue can accommodate weddings of all sizes. With our stunning waterfall backdrop and elegant rustic aesthetic, we provide the perfect setting for your special day, no matter how many loved ones are in attendance. Let us help you create the wedding of your dreams, tailored perfectly to your guest list.
Planning your guest list might be a challenge, but at Hightower Falls, we’re here to ensure your day is unforgettable—no matter how many people are there to share it with you.
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