We know that the stress of planning your wedding can feel like being inside a pressure cooker at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. On top of that, the guilt of having to nix people from your guest list can send you boiling over the edge. We are here to tell you that you don't have to indulge that guilt. This is YOUR special day, and cutting people from your guest list is one of the fastest, most efficient ways to cut from your overall budget. Here at The Bride Box, we've gathered some wisdom and techniques on the art of the guest-list chop. So, grab a pen, pair of scissors, or X-ACTO knife and get ready to cut cut cut...

1st Consideration: Venue

First and foremost, you need to decide on a venue. You can't really determine how many people you can afford to entertain unless you first know the cost of entertainment per head. Decide on the location of your reception and then you will have a rough number to start with.

2nd Consideration: Percentages

You also need to decide on what percentage of the guest list is allotted to you and your fiance, and what percentage is allotted to your parents. Because the bride's family pays for most of the wedding, they usually have more control over the guest list than the groom's family. You can work that out however you see fit, but keep in mind both sets of parents will want to invite their close friends.

3rd Consideration: Groups

Another good way to slash larger quantities of peeps is to think about the groups they fit into, such as young children, co-workers, extended family, or acquaintances. Perhaps you decide that you don't want to invite the extended family that you never see anyway. Maybe you decide that you don't want to mix your private life with your work life by inviting your co-workers. If you cut the entire group, you will also avoid hurting certain people's feelings.

4th Consideration: Time

If there are still more people that you are conflicted about, a good rule of thumb is to think about the last time you saw them. If it has been a year or more, you can probably leave them off the list. Of course, there are going to be exceptions to this. If your bestie moved to the Southern France two years ago, to live off of wine and baguettes, you'd still want to toss her an invite!

5th Consideration: Introverts

Another thing you may want to think about is any introverts that are in your circle of friends. Some people may care a great deal about you but also dread weddings due to their shy nature. Cutting these people from the list may not only do you a favor, but them as well. If you're not sure about a particular person, you can always just be honest and ask them how they feel in a way that doesn't put them on the spot. We hope this helps you cute down your wedding guest list! Remember, this is one of the most important, special days in your life, so don't let ANYONE make you feel guilty for your guest-list decisions! Good luck brides!

 

What techniques are you using to narrow down YOUR guest list? Let us know in the comments section below!