Don't Tell the Guests

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Planning a wedding is fun, particularly deciding on themes, finding THE dress that you know you are going to walk down the aisle in, and creating pinterest boards with over complicated artsy things that you'll probably never get around to making but look super cute.

But let's face it, some things about weddings can be a little tricky, and may get a little political.

Creating the guest list is one of these such things.

Just how do you decide who to share your special day with and where do you draw the line?

Do you have to invite friends partners, even if you have never met them before or you are pretty sure that they are just a bonking buddy who won't be around for much longer after the wedding anyway?

Do you invite children? Maybe to the ceremony but not the reception? Maybe only the children whose parents would not be able to find a babysitter on the night? Do you invite your millions of little cousins or just the older ones? Can you 'get away with' inviting some children without others?

And what about culling down the family? Do you invite the immediate family: grandparents, aunties and uncles, or do you also include great aunts and uncles too?

And of course, how much say do you let your parents have? Usually they will be contributing some moolah to the occasion. Does a monetary contribution entitle them to an opinion? How do you break the news to them that you don't really want Great Aunt Guntha, with the super long eye brows who always has stinky teeth to remain off the guest list?

Well, I don't really know the answers.

But I have a highly technical way that may help you decide.

Grab a piece of paper.

Draw three columns.

Label the three columns past, present and future.

Now, under each of the columns, place the names of people who have been there for you in the past, who are there for you in the present and who you know will still be there in the future.

People who exist in two columns, are likely to be those who you will invite, and not regret later on.

For example, if someone you are debating on inviting only falls into the past column, but isn't apart of your present and future, then maybe you could consider leaving them off of the guest list.

I guess the guest list also comes down to the venue that you are looking at hiring, and how many they will take, as well as your budget.

You may not be able to afford 150 people at $100 a head. 

So perhaps working out your budget, and how much you would be willing to pay per head, may also help you decide how many guests you are going to have.

Remember that it is your special day to spend with those closest to you. Sometimes you might have to compromise on certain guests, but just make sure that you have the people who you truly want there to witness your decision to spend the rest of your life with your partner!

We recently created a quick guest list on a 7 hour road trip. I think we have roughly 120 guests! We've also decided to invite kids to the ceremony but not the reception so that the parents can let their hair down! 

Do you have any tips for creating the guest list?

Look after yourself and those around you,

Kirsty xxx