The Art of the Invite: Your Guide to Crafting the Perfect Guest List
There are many things on your wedding checklist, but few are as important or as challenging as creating the guest list. This critical task directly impacts your budget and influences many other decisions. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you master the art of the invite and create the perfect guest list.
Why It's Important
Your guest list is crucial because it directly affects your wedding budget. Everything from the venue to the catering is influenced by the number of guests. To start, create one big list and then work your way down to a more balanced number that fits your budget. Here’s a helpful way to break down your list:
A-List: These are the guests you can’t imagine getting married without.
B-List: These are the guests you would feel bad not inviting, but it’s not the end of the world if they don’t attend.
C-List: These are guests you love and enjoy, but it wouldn’t hurt if they didn’t invite you to their wedding.
Why It's Difficult
Creating your guest list can be complicated by unexpected additional guests and emotional stakeholders. You might have one number in mind while your significant other has something completely different. Family members may request additional invitations for people you hardly know. The biggest mistake you can make is finalizing your guest list before you know the end cost. Create your budget first, then determine a guest count that balances with it.
Making the Right Choices
If only you had a magic wand to invite everyone you know to your wedding. In reality, you have to be straightforward about who you really want there on the big day. Here are some tips:
Evaluate Relationships: If you couldn’t see yourself treating this person to a $200 dinner, they probably shouldn’t be on your guest list.
Stake in Your Relationship: Consider if they have a meaningful connection to your relationship.
Recent Contact: If you haven’t spoken to someone in the last six months, chances are they will understand if they don’t receive an invitation.
Remember, there is no rule that says if someone invites you to their wedding, you have to invite them to yours. Weddings are sensitive, emotional, and reverent affairs. Your friends and family will understand if you tell them you are planning an intimate event.
The Invitation Suite
The invitation itself is several parts that make up the formal invitation suite. It includes:
The outer envelope
An unsealed inner envelope
The invitation
A reception card (if the reception is held at a different venue)
A response card with a self-addressed, stamped envelope
Printed maps and information on hotels
Information about your wedding website
Mailing and Addressing Invitations
Invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks before your wedding date. Here are some tips for addressing invitations:
For a married couple, use “Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Davis.”
If every family member is invited, use “Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Davis and Family.”
For older children, write their names below their parents, i.e., Miss Erica Davis.
For two unmarried individuals, use each of their full names.
The Art of the Invite
The true art of the invite lies in crafting a lean guest list and staging the proper invitation suite. This art isn’t easy, but with care and attention, you can create a masterpiece. Setting a budget for your big day will guide every other decision, from your vendors and venue to the guest list, keeping you financially in check.
At Entyse Lyfe Weddings & Events, we’re here to guide you in deciding what ceremony is right for you as a couple. There are many options and details to sort out, and our goal is to help you achieve the wedding of your dreams.
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