When it’s time to start thinking about how to make a wedding guest list it can cause feelings of overwhelm and confusion. Am I right? The thought of doing this pretty much paralyzes you, so you do nothing. You have no clue where to start or who to invite to your wedding so you avoid it. But your wedding guest list isn’t going to create itself that’s what you have to start somewhere!

Wedding planning experts might disagree about this being your first step but figuring out a budget isn’t the only important part of planning your wedding. I’m no expert but as a past bride, I know that making a decision about who you’ll invite is just as crucial as the financial aspect. This first step might seem like a daunting task, but if you and your partner take the time to complete this to-do you’ll be better equipped to make the next few major decisions in the wedding planning process. Trust me, it’s an easy win compared to the other tasks you’ll need to tackle later on down the road.

HOW TO MAKE A WEDDING GUEST LIST

• STEP 1: Make a preliminary guest list so you have an idea as to who you want to share your special day with. The people you choose to invite to your wedding day is pretty important! Not only is the fun-ness of your wedding at stake, but a lot of decisions are based on this number such as venue size, catering costs, etc.

• STEP 2: Once you’ve completed a preliminary wedding guest list, split your list into groups like family, friends, school, work, etc. and within each group list names in order of importance just in case you aren’t able to invite everyone on your list. Grouping, in the beginning, will also help save time with a seating plan if you’re going to do this later down the road.

• STEP 3: (OPTIONAL) If you want to get even more specific, give each guest on the list a priority of A, B, or C. “A” would be for close friends and family that you would really love to have at your ceremony (some would say non-negotiable), “B” would be for other friends and family that you’re planning to invite, and “C” would be for those that you want to invite if the budget allows. I don’t think this is necessary if you put names in the order of importance as suggested in Step #2, but this might work for you.

• TIP: This may also be a good time to reach out to your parents to see if they have a list of people that they would like you to invite to the wedding. Typically, you would do so if they will be helping you to pay for any portion of the wedding. Otherwise, it’s totally up to you as to who you decide to invite if you’re paying for the wedding yourselves. It’s your day, of course, but familial obligations are something to consider if parents are footing the bill and you want to keep the peace.

One thing to remember while you are completing this task is that this is not set in stone and it can be changed or updated at any time before you begin choosing wedding vendors that rely on numbers. This is one of the first steps that I recommend simply because it’s an easy task to complete that doesn’t require any commitments right off the bat. It can also be fun, too, if you think about how special your wedding day will be surrounded by the people you love the most! That’s what really matters.

If you have any specific questions about how to make a wedding guest list or if you have any tips to add, please share. Just leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you! Need more help with wedding planning? Here’s a post with 5 steps to start planning your wedding that will have some more quick tips! 

Next up in the “How To Start Planning Your Wedding Series“ is “When & Where to Marry” and it will be focused on determining your wedding vision. You’ll also get another set of worksheets as a freebie. My mission is to help you clarify what you are visualizing so that you can find the best venue to fit your needs for your wedding day! Subscribe to the Weekly Wander so you don’t miss any fresh content from the new series.

HOMEWORK: FIGURE OUT WHO TO INVITE

• Set aside an hour with your partner one afternoon or evening and write out your preliminary guest list so that you, at least, have a starting point.

• Want a FREE “Wedding Guest List Worksheet” to help you with the process? Print two sheets, one for you and one for your partner (or as many as you will need) so that you both have a list that can be merged later. Click on the images below to download the worksheets.

GET A FREE COPY OF THE 12-MONTH WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE!

It’s a free gift when you sign up for weekly emails from me (your adventurous ally). Once you become part of the tribe and are subscribed to the Weekly Wander, you will automatically receive a download link in a welcome email! Click the image below to sign up!