With the average cost for wedding days now between £12,000 and £20,000 depending on which publications you read, it’s no surprise that couples need to think carefully about who they are going to invite to their wedding.
Probably the most expensive part of any wedding day is the sit-down meal for all the wedding guests. For every additional guest you add to your list, you’re looking at another £30 – £50 per head easily. Then, should you increase the list even further you may even have to consider hiring a bigger wedding venue.

Wedding lists need to be decided quite some time before the event, the first thing that a wedding venue will ask you is “how many guests are there”. Your list needn’t be as long as your arm, you may need to be a little ruthless when it comes to deciding the final numbers, especially if you have a strict wedding budget.
It can be a difficult task.

So, how do you decide who is to be invited to your wedding ?

The first thing you need to understand is that it’s YOUR wedding, and you shouldn’t be pressurised into inviting people because others think you should do. As hard as it is to accept for some, perhaps your Mum’s cousin is not someone who leaps to mind when you’re writing out your wedding list, although your Mum may not agree. It’s easier said then done, but only invite who you really want to be there on YOUR special day.

Stage 1 - Sit down as a couple and write a full list on names between you of every person you would possibly wish to come to your wedding. Don’t rule anyone out at this stage, unless you both agree first time.

Stage 2 – Go through the newly created guest list highlighting which guests you definitely must invite to your wedding.

Stage 3 - Consider now running through the list and marking a cross against anyone you haven’t seen in the last year. A good rule to stick to is; if they haven’t phoned you in 12 months, do you really mean that much to them? Harsh, but fair perhaps. Suddenly your guest list is becoming more manageable.

Stage 4 - Between you and your partner, consider who is a “maybe” on the list – remember that each “maybe” could cost upto £50 for their meal, and weigh up the cost of whether they could become an evening invite instead.

If you stick to your plan then you’ll find it’s not so hard to agree between you who is in and who is out of the guest list. Difficulties lay if parents have help contribute towards the wedding, if they suggest that they’d like a certain guest who is not on your list, a compromise of an evening invitation is a possibility.
Don’t forget, you will always have one or two invitees who are unable to attend, consider who your back-up guests could be, and maybe hold back some evening invitations for those people in case you need to promote them “off the subs bench” so to speak.

Only invite people who you really want to see at your wedding, rather then draining your wedding budget on guests because you feel you ought to invite them, or to appease relatives.

Happy Wedding Planning !