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Figuring out who will be on hand to witness your I Dos is no easy feat, and coming up with the guest list is bound to cause an argument or two. Before you even start jotting down names, take a look at these eight common mistakes.
Letting parents take control.
Even if the parents are paying, it shouldn’t give them the right to dictate your day, says Greg Coltman of Greg Coltman Wedding Photography. “Your wedding should be about you, your love for each other and your closest friends and family. The people who really matter should be there.”
Inviting everyone you've ever met.
When creating a guest list, it's so easy to invite everybody you've ever known, including long lost childhood friends, your parent's coworkers, and other people who you may not feel close to. “Keep in mind that every additional person you invite can add to your ceremony's costs and complexity,” says Janessa White of Simply Eloped.
Allowing plus ones.
This is fine is guests are in a serious, long-term relationship, but letting your single pals bring random dates can be a mistake—especially if you’re on a budget, says Brie Owens, Chancey Charm Atlanta Wedding Planner. “If you invite friends and allow them to bring a plus one, that adds up quick! Really consider who you want to come and if you want to allow them to bring someone you may not even know.”
Forgetting about your venue size.
If your heart is set on a venue that holds 125 guests, keep that in mind, says Vanessa Segui of VSM Event Creations. “You don’t want to risk over inviting and having a smaller space packed with too many people. Crammed spaces are not fun for anyone!”
Hogging the list.
The bride and her family can easily take over the day, but it’s important to consult with the groom’s side to get an idea of how many people they’d like to invite. “If your guest count is at 200 don’t tell your fiancé’s side they can only invite 75 people because your guest count is at 125,” says Dara Pamplin of Dare2BDifferent ExclusiveEvents. “It should always remain fair.”
Ignoring who gets along (and who doesn't).
Make sure you know who’s getting along and who isn’t, says Coltman, “I shot a wedding where a family member turned up with a plus one / girlfriend, but the ex-wife was seated at the next table. It was a ‘frosty’ evening.”
Inviting exes.
It's not a great idea to invite exes to the wedding, so tread lightly here, says Kristin Griffin of Kristin Griffin Photography. “If you are on close friendly terms with an ex, make sure to discuss this invitation at length with your fiancé ahead of time. You don't want any drama to come up on wedding day.”
Including all your coworkers.
Unless you are very close to your colleagues, don't feel guilty about skipping their invitation, but inviting your immediate boss is considered 'proper etiquette,'" says Griffin. "Also, if you aren't inviting the work crew, keep your wedding planning discussions out of the work place.”
