Planning A Small Wedding Guest List: Tips And Tricks

Planning a wedding guest list can be tricky, especially if you're trying to keep the numbers down. The size of your guest list will determine many other aspects of your wedding planning, including your venue and budget. It's important to be upfront and honest with friends and family about your plans for an intimate event, and to manage their expectations. You should also consider whether to invite children, and if so, which ones. When deciding who to invite, it's a good idea to only invite people you have a relationship with, and who you've seen or spoken to recently.

Be honest and upfront about your small guest list

When it comes to planning a small wedding guest list, honesty and transparency are key. Being upfront about your intentions from the outset will help manage expectations and prevent any potential hurt feelings or misunderstandings.

Jacqueline Vizcaino, owner of Tinted Events Design and Planning, advises being clear with friends and family that "an invitation or lack thereof has no bearing on the person". In other words, just because someone isn't invited, it doesn't mean they are any less loved or valued. This is an important message to convey, especially to those who may feel slighted by not receiving an invitation.

It's also worth noting that a small wedding guest list doesn't necessarily mean excluding certain groups, such as children. However, it's crucial to discuss and decide on a kid policy beforehand, as children may require additional considerations like babysitters.

When deciding on your guest list, it's essential that both you and your partner have some kind of relationship with all the guests. This means not inviting people you haven't seen or spoken to in a while. A good rule of thumb is that if it's been more than a year since you last saw them or more than a month or two since you last spoke, they probably aren't close enough to make the cut.

Finally, don't forget to let parents or any contributing parties know about your plans for an intimate event. They may have their own guest list ideas, so it's best to set expectations early on to avoid any surprises.

Only invite people you have a relationship with

When it comes to planning a small wedding guest list, it's important to keep the number of guests intimate and affordable. A small wedding guest list typically consists of 50-75 guests, and it's becoming increasingly common, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure that your guest list remains small, only invite people you have a relationship with. This means that both the bride and groom should have some kind of relationship with all the guests. Don't invite people you haven't seen or spoken to in a while. If it's been more than a year since you last saw them or more than a month or two since you last spoke, they aren't close enough to be invited. You don't need to invite someone just because you attended their wedding.

Be upfront and honest with friends and family about your small guest list. Manage expectations by clearly stating that an invitation or lack thereof is not a reflection of how much you value the relationship. Remind people that they are still loved and valued, even if they aren't invited.

Discuss the kid policy with your partner and decide which children, if any, will be on the VIP list. Children require babysitters, and this could mean losing valuable guests if the kids aren't allowed to come.

Let parents and other contributing parties know about your plans for an intimate event. They will likely have their own list of people they'd like to attend, so set expectations early on that the guest list will be minimal.

Discuss the kid policy

When planning a small wedding guest list, it's important to be upfront and honest from the beginning. Manage expectations by clearly stating to friends and family that an invitation or lack thereof has no bearing on the person. Remind people that not being invited doesn't mean they are any less loved or that the relationship is any less valued.

When it comes to the kid policy, this is something you need to discuss and decide together. Consider whether any children will be on your small wedding's VIP list of guests. If children aren't allowed, you may lose a valuable guest as their parent will need to stay at home to babysit. However, if you do invite children, you may need to consider providing entertainment or activities to keep them occupied during the wedding.

Another option is to set an age limit for children attending the wedding. For example, you could decide that only children over the age of 12 are invited, or you could specify that only children under a certain age are invited, such as nieces, nephews, or young cousins.

Finally, consider the parents' preferences. If they would prefer to attend without their children, you could offer to help them arrange babysitting or suggest local childcare options. By discussing the kid policy openly and honestly, you can ensure that everyone's needs are considered and that your small wedding guest list is well-planned and intimate.

Set expectations early

When planning a small wedding, it's important to set expectations early on. This means being upfront and honest with friends and family about the size of your guest list and making it clear that a lack of invitation does not reflect the strength of your relationship with them. For example, you could say something like, "Just because someone isn't invited, doesn't mean that they are any less loved or the relationship is any less valued".

It's also a good idea to let parents and other contributing parties know about your plans for an intimate event. They may have their own list of people they'd like to see attend, so it's important to manage their expectations early on.

When deciding on your guest list, it's generally a good idea to only invite people you have a relationship with and who you've seen or spoken to recently. If it's been more than a year since you last saw them or a few months since you last spoke, they probably aren't close enough to be invited.

Finally, don't forget to discuss your kid policy. Children require babysitters, so it's something to consider when deciding on your small wedding's VIP list.

Manage the venue and budget

When it comes to managing the venue and budget for a small wedding, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the size of your guest list will directly impact the cost of your venue, so it's important to have a clear idea of your guest count before choosing a venue. The price of a venue will vary depending on the number of guests it can accommodate, so be mindful of this when creating your budget.

Once you have a sense of your guest count, you can start thinking about venues that can accommodate that number comfortably. Consider whether you want a separate ceremony and reception space, or if you prefer to have everything in one location, as this will impact your rental costs. Remember that the venue is typically the biggest expense, so it's important to allocate a significant portion of your budget to this. Aim to spend no more than 40% of your overall budget on the venue, rental fees, food, and alcohol combined.

When it comes to catering, most services charge per head, so the size of your guest list will directly impact this cost. It's important to factor in the probability of guests attending, as there may be a 10% drop-off, depending on the time of year and location. To save money, consider hiring a wedding planner who can leverage their relationships with vendors to get you the best prices and help you avoid overspending on unnecessary items.

Finally, don't forget about the additional costs associated with the venue and catering, such as tables, chairs, linens, glassware, and china. These items are typically included in your rental budget, separate from any decor rentals, which should be considered "nice-to-haves" rather than must-haves. By carefully considering your guest list, venue, and catering costs, you can effectively manage your budget and create a memorable small wedding.

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