Your wedding guests are a culmination of the people that have gotten you to where you are today. Friends and family will travel for miles just to experience the greatest day of your life. So how do you decide which ones are going to make the cut? It's hard, trust me I've been there. My fiancee and I had to cut almost 150 people from our initial list due to the size of the venue we fell in love with. This was our thought process on who actually will be receiving an invitation:
What type of relationship do you have with them?
Are they a big supporter of your well-being? If you were in a pinch, would they be a person you'd call? What's the first memory that comes to mind when you think of this person (make sure it's a good one)? If you have a hard time answering any of these questions, you might need to reconsider them for your guest list. You want everyone there that can check all of those boxes for you because they obviously wish you nothing but happiness!
Are you inviting them for YOU or for someone else?
If you've ever planned a wedding, you've inevitably gotten the following questions:
"Is so-and-so invited?" "Can you add them to the list?". Chances are if you didn't add them to your initial guest list, they're not that crucial to your happiness on your wedding day. If someone else is insisting you invite them, you need to remember that IT'S YOUR DAY! These questions come up often, especially from parents, grandparents, or family members. Don't get frustrated with their inquiry. Just remember it's coming from a place of love and genuine interest.
Will they contribute to the atmosphere of the wedding?
I know.... it sounds a bit harsh. But, if you're having a hard time deciding if they should come or not, think about how much fun they'll bring to the party. After all, it is a celebration and you need people who will keep the atmosphere alive! Now, I only put this question on here for those guests in question. You know, the ones that are kind of wildcards. We all have them. The people who you have created some of the best memories with but might not be super close with, those are the ones I'm talking about. I'm sure they will contribute to creating more amazing memories on the biggest day of your life.
At the end of the day, your guest list is one of the most important aspects of your wedding. Make sure you're 100% satisfied with the final list before sending out your save the dates. If you're not, put it away and revisit it in a few days. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
If you need more tips and tricks to help you with your guest list, reach out to us! We would love to help you answer those tough questions. www.pearlsandpoppy.com