The Size of Your Guest List: The First and Most Important Decision You’ll Make After Saying Yes

Your guest list will be a central factor in determining the kind of wedding you have. It will be the bridge between your wedding dreams and your wedding reality. Often couples think the number of people they invite will only affect the cost of food and beverage. In reality, the size of your guest list effects almost every aspect of your planning and every element of your budget.

The size of your guest list will influence and maybe even dictate your ceremony and reception location. (Those pesky fire codes and such.) Your guest list will influence the style of your reception. For example, the facility of your dreams may be able to handle a cocktail reception for 300 but can only seat 120 with a band and dance floor. The number of guests you invite will determine the number of tables and chairs you need therefore it will significantly impact your per table budget for linens and centerpieces. Guest list influences your incidental costs as well. Remember favors, postage, stationary (save-the-dates, invitations, programs, menu cards, etc.) are all priced individually.

Bottom-line, most couples have a finite amount of money in their wedding budget and unfortunately your budget is not a major market force. (Wouldn’t it be cool if all we had to do to influence the cost of goods in the economy was set and stick to our personal budgets. . . I digress.) Because your wedding budget is finite, you will have to be true to your wedding priorities. Don’t get sucked into the trap of thinking that a great party is synonymous with a party with a huge guest list. Good friends, family, atmosphere and lots of love are generally all that are required for a great party and a wonderful wedding celebration.