The Art of the Wedding Guest List: Who Do You Really Want to Share Your Wedding Day With?
The wedding guest list is the most important first step in the wedding planning process. Everything you plan from this point on accommodates the size of this list. The guest list has the single biggest impact on your budget – so nail it down first. How to Make a Wedding Guest List in Three Steps
Step 1: Make a list of who absolutely MUST be at your wedding.
Only your very, very closest friends and family -- the ones you actually call to chat with on a regular basis-- go on this list.
No friendly acquaintances, no work buddies, and no cousins you rarely talk to.
Step 2: Make a list of the people you would like to be at the wedding. Group them on the list by how you know them – family you like, but rarely see or speak with, additional old friends, friends from work, friends from church, friends from the running club… you get the picture.
Listing by social groups will help later if you need to cut the list.
Be sure to include spouses and significant others on the list to get an accurate head count. If you don’t have the budget, your friends who are not in serious relationships can be invited without “and guest.”
Determine if you want families to be able to attend with their children or is it an adult only event.
Are your parents paying for the wedding or contributing significant funds? If they are, they get a say in the guest list too.
Don’t rush through this process. You may leave some obvious names off the first draft, so give it a few days and then go back over your wedding guest list.
Step 3: If you know your list is out of control, make cuts now.
If you’re not sure or haven’t made a wedding budget yet, don’t cut until after you make your budget or have interviewed a few vendors and gathered price quotes.
When it’s time to make cuts:
Ask yourself, “Have I talked to this person in less than 3 years?” Cut them if the answer is No (even family). Never invite somebody you have not talked to in over 3 years.
Cut “obligation” wedding guests. Don’t invite people you just feel obligated to invite, but don’t really care if they show up or not.
Also cut guests who are on the list because your wedding is a good networking opportunity for you or for family.
The days when the parents of the bride and groom compiled expansive wedding guest lists consisting of co-workers, business partners, their banker, and anyone else they might want to impress are pretty much over.
More and more couples are paying for their wedding themselves, or their families are wising up to the new economy and scaling back. If you can’t afford it, don’t use your wedding guest list to do business.
Weddings where the couple invites people because they love them and have an active relationship with them are wonderful weddings.
Everybody is happy to be there, not obligated to be there. This makes a big difference in the tone of the wedding.
The Ultimate Budget Bride: Lisa Spooner saved almost 90% on her wedding, now she helps others save big money.
Listing by social groups will help later if you need to cut the list. 
