Don't know where to start with guest list!

[jackobelle]

I was wondering if anyone could please give me some advice on where to start with a guest list? We are having more difficulty with the at home reception one. For the actual DW we are inviting only family and close friends.

 

We don't even know if we will have 60 people, 100, or 200+!!!!

We have a lot of different groups of friends which makes it difficult. We want to figure out how many people so we can start planning the reception!

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice on where to start!!

[Geralyn]

We are inviting 145 people but I really have no idea what to expect because people have not really said anything...i'm thinking about 50 people

[Anna83]

We wanted to have a big party for our AHR, so I first started listing our family who I knew we would invite. Then I just kept branching out with close family friends and other circles. It can be hard because sometimes if you invite one person, you have to invite others to avoid hurt feelings.

 

The amount of people you invite depends on you budget and how big of a party you invite. I think most girls on the forum will agree that even though you invite a lot of people to your wedding, most won't come.

 

I would decide how much you can spend on a reception, as dinner for a lot of people can be quite costly. I like going to weddings that are big, I think they can be a lot of fun, so if you can afford it, why not have a big wedding? I have a feeling if you wanted to keep it small, you wouldn't be questioning it.

[Celina]

I would say go with an A, B and (if necessary) a C list.

 

A=immediate friends and family

B=cousins and other friends

C=anyone beyond those not already mentioned.

 

If I could do it over again I wouldn't have wasted the $$ on sending invites to some relatives and would have kept it immediate family and friends only. Do this before you order invites or you will find your self with too many or too little invites

[jackobelle]

Thanks for the tips! We're pretty good for who to invite to the resort wedding, it is the AHR we are having trouble with. I think we will make a list of everyone we could possibly invite, and then sort them into categories: "for sure, no question" guests, then a "probably" list and a "maybe" list. If it is too many people we just cross off the entire "maybe" list. It just feels so ruthless cutting people!!

 

A friend of mine said that about 10 - 15% of the people invited to (at home) receptions reply "no". Is this true? I am assuming it is MUCH higher for the DW too!

 

Thanks again for the replies!

[Anna83]

I've actually heard 20% will not come to the reception. That's what I have been planning on. And yes, it is much higher for the DW!

[jamisoncollette]

I would agree that about 20% or a little more will not come to an AHR for whatever reasons. You can be very flexible with an AHR so I think you really need to lock down a budget before you start the guest list. Remember an AHR can be formal or very laid back picnic style. What best suites you and your FI?