Guest Lists - Budget considerations and other things

While we're talking about invitations let's think about the guest list itself. One of your first thoughts after you decide to get married is likely to be "who shall we invite?". Drawing up your guest list can be an interesting exercise but it isn't always plain sailing: difficulties may arise because of budgetary restrictions, or because parents want to invite lots of family friends. Couples can easily feel overwhelmed when trying to keep both families happy. And this is before designing the invitation has begun!

Deciding who to invite

Your guest list is likely to include people you definitely want to invite, others you really should invite, and some you'd like to invite if the budget allows it. Depending on your situation both sets of parents are usually involved in the process of deciding who to invite.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Give yourself plenty of time to draw up the guest list.
Be realistic with what you can afford to spend!
Prioritise: do you want to invite more people, or would you prefer to go for a great venue and entertainment.
Often those who pay more expect to have a greater say about the guest list, but it is important to feel that it is still the bride and groom's day! Be clear about who you feel you can't afford or don't want to invite. Do you want your friends to bring their current girlfriend/boyfriend? Do you want to ask distant cousins? At times there may be some pressure to expand the guest list to an extent you aren't comfortable with.
If the budget means you aren't inviting people you really want to be there on the day be creative about ways to include them, or ways of reducing costs (see below).

Once you have established your guest list:

Adjust your budget if your guest list is bigger than you allowed for at first
Order more invitations than you require
Check the ceremony and reception venues can accommodate this number of people
Send out invitations or save-the-date cards to alert guests from far away - they can then think early about making travel plans
Notify your caterer of guest numbers.

BUDGET TIP

One way to make your budget stretch is to involve family and friends. Look at who you know: chefs, fishermen, musicians, someone with a wonderful garden … If you feel comfortable ask for their involvement (it could replace a present), their advice, get them to help make invitations, even see if that fisherman-cousin could provide smoked fish for an entree! Perhaps the main course could include a lamb on a spit.