The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Your Wedding Guest List

Navigate the complexities of creating your wedding guest list with ease. Our ultimate guide covers everything from budget considerations to managing family expectations, ensuring your big day is filled with those who matter most.

Bride and groom planning their wedding guest list together.

Creating a wedding guest list can be one of the most challenging aspects of wedding planning. It involves balancing budgets, venue capacities, and familial expectations, all while trying to keep your celebration intimate and meaningful. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through the process with less stress and more joy.

Start with a Vision:

Consider the size and style of your wedding. Do you envision a grand affair or an intimate gathering? Your vision will influence the size of your guest list.

Create an A-List and B-List:

Your A-List should include must-have guests you couldn’t imagine your day without. The B-List can include guests you would love to have if your budget and venue allow.

Consider the Budget:

Remember, more guests mean higher costs. Be realistic about how many people your budget can accommodate.

Venue Capacity:

Let your venue's capacity guide you. Ensure your A-List fits comfortably within the limits before considering B-List invites.

Splitting the List:

If parents are contributing financially, it’s common to split the guest list evenly. Communication is key to setting clear expectations from the start.

Plus-Ones and Children:

Decide early on whether you will allow plus-ones and children. This can significantly affect your numbers.

Navigating Family Expectations:

Be prepared for negotiations. Remind family members of your vision and constraints if they push for additional invites.

Revise and Review:

Your guest list will likely change over time. Regularly review and adjust it as needed.

Crafting your wedding guest list is a delicate balance of personal desires, family expectations, and practical limitations. By starting early and following these guidelines, you can create a guest list that reflects your vision and ensures a memorable celebration for everyone involved.

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Akeshi Akinseye

Akeshi Akinseye is the founder and CEO of Kesh Events and is the leading expert in the wedding and event industry on all things celebrations.

She is widely regarded as One of the best Wedding planners in America by Brides, Top 5 wedding vendors in the world by WEDLUXE, top wedding planner in Chicago by PartySlate and more. 

Her insights and work have been featured in national publications like Brides, PartySlate, Modern Luxury Weddings, Inside Weddings, Yahoo, ESPN, New York Times etc and she appears regularly in media outlets like ABC, The Tribune and more.

She is the author of the best-selling book, The Art of Floral And Event Design” and founder and editor of celebrations and lifestyle magazine, The Art of Celebrating. Her creativity, keen eye, attention to detail and knack for perfection is what her clients love about her. She brings the art of creativity and personalization to every single event making her the best at what she does. Akeshi honors the individual styles of her clients and she continually strives to make every experience one to remember.

http://www.akeshiakinseye.com
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