As you prepare for your wedding day, one of the first items on the to-do list should be settling on a guest list. Celebrating with loved ones is a wonderful way to start off your marriage, but narrowing down who to invite can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help craft the ideal guest list for your wedding. 

How to Create the Perfect Guest List for Your Wedding

1. Decide How to Split It

It's often best to start with an estimate of how many guests you can fit into the venue and will be able to afford based on your budget. You can then divide the list between you and your soon-to-be spouse. Traditionally, the couple gets half of the wedding guest list and each set of parents gets one-quarter of it. However, there's no need to stick to this rule. For example, if you're paying for the wedding yourselves, you may want complete control over the guest list. Alternatively, if one partner has more family members, they may want to invite more than their traditional half.

2. Create a Dream List

For your initial list, simply start by writing down everyone you would like to be there for your big day regardless of how many can be included. From there, you can narrow it down, but a more comprehensive list can still come in handy. For example, if someone on your initial invite list can't come, you could return to the dream list to find another guest to invite instead. 

3. Make a Rule for Families & Plus-Ones

Decide whether you want parents to leave their children at home, and be consistent with the rule. It should apply to everyone except close family members, such as younger siblings. If it's going to be a child-free wedding, you'll also need to decide on an age cut-off and communicate it clearly in the invitations. Similarly, create a universal rule for plus-ones. You might allow guests to invite anyone as their plus-one or limit the options to only spouses or long-term significant others. 

4. Reciprocate

If someone has invited you to their wedding in the past, it's generally polite to return the favor by adding them to your own invite list. However, this mainly applies if you're having a wedding of a similar size. If it's planned to be an intimate event, for example, you can contact them privately and explain the situation.

For additional help preparing for your big day, turn to the team at Party Pleasers Services. They have decades of experience planning unique and memorable weddings and other events in Cincinnati and Columbus, OH. Their team will take care of the music, lighting, and decor to create your dream event within a pre-set budget. Learn more on their website and call (513) 417-8316 to begin planning.