How to make your wedding guest list
Make the guest list before you settle on a venue and budget, because the number of guests shapes almost everything else. Start with a long list in groups (each side's family, friends, work), agree together on rules for plus-ones and children, and trim by applying those rules to everyone equally. Then keep it in one place that also works for your RSVPs.
First, the long list
Write down everyone you would like to invite, without filtering yet. Group them: each side's family, friends from each stage of life, work, obligations. Seeing the groups makes the decisions easier later.
Do it early: the venue, the caterer and the budget depend on the number of guests, not the other way round.
Rules before names
Cutting person by person leads to arguments. It's easier to agree on rules and apply them to everyone:
- Plus-ones: only established couples, or can everyone bring someone?
- Children: all of them, only family, or none?
- Colleagues: the whole team, or only those you see outside work?
- Parents' guests: how many places does each family get?
Invitations, not individuals
Think of the list as invitations: a couple, a family or one person. That way you know who each invitation is addressed to, how many people it covers and who to chase if nobody replies.
One list, always up to date
If the list lives in several spreadsheets and chats, it will end up in a mess. Keep it in a single place where the replies go too: you will use it for the RSVPs, the seating plan and the thank-yous.
If you already have it in Excel, there's no need to start again: Nupzy imports it directly.