Guest

Most of the time you will have people that can’t make it but it’s risky to send out 1118 invites and hope only 100 people come. I would say to go back through your list again and make sure you really need all of those people there. Everyone understands you have to draw the line somewhere and depending when you need to send out your save the dates or invites that list might change a bit anyway. Relationships come and go. Good luck.

If you haven't already, can you cut plus ones for single guests or kids or anything? Also, you can expect people to decline. As long as you can afford the extra few hundred dollars and your venue can support that, you can take the gamble. The average stats suggest that 20% of invited guests decline, which would put you in your desired range (even under). However, you do have to be prepared to pay for those extra people if they do all show.

We've definitely been there. Still there, actually. Originally we had started with about 60 and then BAM...100 We're not quite sure what to do but go over the list a few more times and make sure that it's people we REALLY care to come. We know that not 100% shows up every time so that's not too bad

I think everyone has been there. You just have to figure out where you can make cuts. Children, plus ones for single guests, work friends you might not be super close to, etc.

Guest list Help:

Ok, you and your FH, his parents and yours( together or separately) all need to make the “A LIST”, “B LIST”, & “C LIST”.

“A LIST”= the people you cannot imagine your day without. These commonly include: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, Aunts & Uncles...

”B LIST”= the people you want there to share the day, but won’t be heartbroken if they aren’t there. These include: Best Friend, Co-workers( close), Cousins/Second Cousins, Neighbors....

”C LIST”= the people that you’d like there if there’s space, and money, to include them. These include: Co-workers/boss, Friends that don’t fall into “A & B”, People you feel obligated to invite....

Once you all have made the lists it’s time to sit down together and look over them.

The names that are on all/several of your lists, like You & Your Parents have Grandma Jane, go into the “A LIST”. Then it is time to look at who has people that you feel matter.

Have a “MASTER LIST” and add the names that are duplicated first, then add the “B LIST” names and so on, until you reach the guest limit/no more names.

Also, you need to figure out if it’s an adults only, 16+ type or are children welcome? Then you need to factor in Plus Ones. And of kids are welcome than you need to add all of the kids who are eating solid food...

Good luck! Hope this helps!

The part of “together or separately” after parents is that a lot of times it makes sense to have each parent do a list vs them do a combined list.

As with my FH, since we are both older adults( 40 me, 52 him) his mom doesn’t really get that huge a say, but we will take into account some of the people she wants. Or my parents/stepmom want.

FH is a high end lawyer so there will be former clients and other attorneys as well as judges and political people there( sigh! 200+)- But most of those fall into the “C LIST”( at least where I am hoping they do lol!)

We had this issues FH invites the whole damn state. But I know a few (15) that won’t come at all. I’m sending invites tomorrow and 5 of those 15 have already called or text to say they can’t make it due to work or school. ( I’m ok with that my father not so much as some are his family but I told him I’m not offended.)

We invited 283 for a max venue count of 250. I’d expect some declines, but also definitely go with the A B and C list to help you decide who can come

If it's just a matter of the $, I would probably gamble on the 118 and assume that you'll get at least 10-15 declines. If it's an actual space limitation, then definitely cut it to 100 max so you dont' run into any fire code issues or something like that.

I agree- go through and make cuts where you can. A friend of mine over invited in hopes they would get declines. Nope, everyone showed up! So that meant 120 people needed to cram into a space meant for 100-110.