Without a question, one of the most important considerations when you begin planning your wedding is your guest list! The “who” and “how many” guests you will invite can determine so many of the other details of your wedding – location, venue, accommodations, food/beverage quantity, and more! I’ve seen time and again that deciding on a wedding guest list can be both an intimidating and stressful process. But in my years of walking with clients through their wedding planning journey, I’ve discovered a few key elements that can be so helpful when considering that all-important question: “How many people should I invite to my wedding?” In this post, I’ll share some helpful tips for planning your perfect guest list, and creating a beautiful wedding celebration filled with the people who matter most to you!

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING GUEST LIST

BUDGET

First and foremost, your budget is one of your greatest allies in the wedding guest list planning process. While it might sound ultra practical and maybe a bit boring, your budget is actually such a practical tool to help you make informed decisions – ensuring that your wedding is both memorable and financially responsible! Here are a few ways you can use your budget to guide you in crafting the perfect wedding guest list:

Set a Realistic Total Budget: Before you even think about your guest list, it’s helpful to establish a clear and realistic budget for your wedding. This should include all expenses, from the venue and catering to flowers, food, and photography. Once you have this total figure, you'll have a solid foundation to work from!

Designate a Portion to Guests: Next, break down your total budget into different categories, with one of them being the guest-related expenses. This will typically include costs like invitations, catering, and favors. Experts suggest that around 40-50% of your total budget should go toward these guest-centered elements.

Calculate Cost per Guest: With the budget set aside for guests in mind, calculate how much you can afford to spend on each person you invite. This figure will be your guiding light! And remember, this number will also influence the overall guest count.

Prioritize Your Must-Haves: Once you have your cost per guest in mind, start making a list of your must-have guests. These are the people that your day wouldn't be complete without! Set aside a portion of your budget for these VIPs first. This ensures that the essential guests are accounted for no matter what!

Trim the List Strategically: As you expand your guest list beyond your must-haves, be mindful of your budget. If your cost per guest is higher than you anticipated, you may need to trim the list a bit. Consider factors like how close you are to certain individuals and whether they've been a significant part of your life recently.

By using your budget wisely, you can create a wedding guest list that not only fits your financial parameters but also includes the people who truly matter the most to you on your special day!

VENUE

Your venue size is the next factor that will help guide you as you curate your wedding guest list. It’s important to note that your wedding venue can help determine the number of wedding guests you invite – or vice versa! If you have a dream wedding venue in mind that is on a smaller scale, this will set the expectation that you will be inviting fewer guests. However, if your hope is to have a big wedding and to be able to invite a large number of friends and relatives, you will need to choose your venue accordingly. Once your venue is booked, you can use the following to help you create your wedding guest list!

First and foremost, you will need to know the maximum capacity of your chosen wedding venue. Venues come in all shapes and sizes, and knowing how many people can comfortably fit within your space is essential. Venues often have occupancy limits set by fire codes and safety regulations, so it's important to respect these guidelines! Beyond the venue's maximum capacity, it’s also important to consider the comfort of your guests. Will there be enough room for seating, dancing, and mingling? You want you and your guests to have a beautifully memorable celebration, and overcrowding can lead to a less-than-ideal experience.

*Pro-tip: if you choose to have a destination wedding that is a little harder for people to get to, this can really help naturally narrow down your guest count! You can invite more people, but a lot of them may not show up due to travel difficulties. I have seen so many couples do this, and they end up having only the people there who love them enough to make the trek. Wedding venues are honestly so helpful in determining that final guest count!

YOUR PEOPLE

Lastly, and most importantly, your wedding day is your celebration, your love, and should be filled with your people! I don’t want to make this point lightly, because I know that choosing a wedding guest list can open up an entire realm of family expectations, social pressure, and fear of causing offense. It truly can be very tough. But here’s the thing: when you look back on your wedding day in the years to come, it's not the number of guests that will matter most, but the quality and depth of the connections shared.

The people you invite should be those who have played a meaningful role in your journey as a couple, those who have supported you through thick and thin, and those who truly light up your life! While it's natural to want to please everyone, it's simply impossible. Attempting to do so might result in a guest list filled with acquaintances or distant relatives you barely know. Your wedding isn't about meeting others' expectations; it's about celebrating your love and commitment surrounded by the people who know and love you best.

So, as you ask “how many people should I invite to my wedding?”... take a deep breath! Evaluate your budget, consider your location/venue, have honest conversations, and make those tough decisions. In the end, it's so worth it! Your wedding day is a reflection of your unique love story, and by inviting the people who truly matter to you, you're ensuring that it remains authentic, intimate, and filled with the genuine warmth of those who hold a special place in your hearts!

If you’d like to chat more about planning your wedding or would like information about booking photography, please don’t hesitate to reach out — I would absolutely love to connect with you!

Start Planning!

Are you looking to plan your very own wedding? I’d love to be a part of it and photograph your day for you! Get in touch now to check availability and for more information.

Featured