Planning a wedding involves countless details, including who will be there. As you start to imagine your wedding guest list, you are sure to face some difficult decisions. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to help make these choices easier. Once you pick your wedding venue, consider the following tips for who to invite. 

How to Make Your Ideal Wedding Guest List

1. Consider the Wedding Venue

The venue is the best place to start when making the guest list. Consider how many people the space can hold, and then decide how many people you and your partner are planning to invite. For example, the person with the largest family might get a bigger portion of the guest list. You can make this process easier by understanding your limits from the start. 

2. Start Broad

Once you determine the maximum number of guests the wedding venue can hold, free write a list of potential guests. Try not to limit yourself. Just write down everyone who you might invite. Then, with your venue capacity limits in mind, eliminate some if the outlier guests. While this list won’t be final, it can help you determine your priorities. 

3. Be Careful With Extended Family

When it comes to extended family, it’s best not to pick and choose who you invite. Generally, you should either invite your whole extended family or don’t invite any of them. This is because one cousin could be hurt if they hear that your other cousin received an invitation. You can apply this rule to each side of your family separately. 

4. Stick to Your Boundaries

Before you start writing a guest list, talk to your partner about their deal-breakers and must-haves. Consider whether you want kids at the wedding and if you’re inviting coworkers. By setting these clear rules at the start, you’ll have fewer hangups while writing the list. If your parents are being particularly vocal about their opinions, make these ground rules clear to them as well.

5. Plan Out Plus-Ones

Deciding who is allowed to bring guests can be tricky, since you don’t want anyone to feel left out. This is another area where you should set some rules. For example, you might decide that anyone who is married, engaged, or has a long-term partner gets a plus one. Explain on your wedding website or on an insert in the invitation why certain guests will not have a plus-one. 

Looking for a spacious wedding venue for your special day? Hastings Golf Club & Events in the Dakota and Washington counties, MN, provides an elegant space for your wedding and reception. With facilities for the bridal party, a fully stocked bar, and a courteous waitstaff, they are available to accommodate all of your needs. Their event space is well-decorated and bright, creating the sophisticated atmosphere that you deserve. To receive more information on their wedding packages, visit them online or call (651) 437-4210 today.