Controlling Your Guest List
The reception guest list can be a touchy subject no matter how large your budget is, but for couples trying to keep costs low things can get really tricky. Like it or not, the easiest way to save on expenses is to keep your head count down.
One way to do this is to have an Adult Only Reception. This makes it easier to estimate costs ahead of time since you know that Cousin Jackie won’t RSVP for her entire family of five. If you plan on excluding the little ones, make sure your invitation notes it – something like “Adult Only Reception to Follow” should be enough. However, if any of your out-of-town guests have young children it is unfair to expect them to leave their kids behind. Offering to put them in touch with local babysitting agencies is a thoughtful way to show that even though you prefer to keep your reception small, you haven’t forgotten about their families.
Another way to ensure that no unexpected or uninvited +1’s are brought is to clarify how many seats each guest can bring. RSVP cards that say “We have reserved 2 seats for you” leave no questions about whether or not a date is allowed.
No matter how you decide keep your guest list small, remember that you are likely to offend someone, somewhere. Make sure to gently explain to your family members and bridal party your reasons for being so exclusive so that they can help with damage control if necessary. If you do end up getting heat for not inviting your third cousin’s stepsister, remember that it’s your big day and you ultimately control who you want to celebrate it with!
Post Published on August 1, 2011. Guest Blogger: Andi Edgett
