How To Narrow Down A Guest List For Destination Wedding!
Planning a destination wedding has its own set of problems and issues that have similarities but also extreme differences. Narrowing down your guest list is a problem that anyone planning a wedding might encounter but it’s a whole different ball game when your invitation is also asking people to travel. So today we are gong to specifically talk about how you can narrow down your destination wedding guest list without going insane.
It’s gonna have some stress and emotional challenges but together we can work through it and get your guest list down to what you want (or need!) it to be. Let’s get right into it-
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How To Narrow Down A Guest List For Destination Wedding!
Tips for inviting less guests to your destination wedding:
Step 1: Set Your Priorities Straight
Alright my friends- first things first, you and your partner need to sit down and figure out what’s most important to both of you for your wedding day. This journey of narrowing down your guest list is going to SUCK if you two are not on the same page.
Talk about the important priorities and reasons that you are needing to narrow down the guest list. Make sure you’re being honest with each other too during this!!
Ask yourselves- is it the location, the number of guests, or maybe the overall vibe of the event? Why are you wanting or needing to narrow it down? Keep in mind throughout this conversation what you want the day to feel like for both you two and your guests.
Step 2: Consider Your Budget
The reality of planning a wedding, especially a destination wedding, is that budgets can stretch pretty thin. And if you are struggling with budget problems please remember that you are part of the vast majority of couples planning a wedding. Don’t let social media convince you otherwise 😉
Anyway back on track- each guest can significantly add to the cost, not just in terms of food and beverages, but also in rentals, favors and (this is especially important for destination weddings) venue size. Figure out what your total budget looks like and how much you can realistically afford to spend per guest. This might help you make some tough but necessary decisions about who can make the list.
I found it to be really helpful to calculate the cost of each guests and then to ask each other if we would pay say $150 to have that person come over for dinner. If the answer is no then they probably shouldn’t be on your destination wedding guest list. ESPECIALLY if you are trying to narrow down the list.
Step 3: Think in Circles
A great tactic for organizing your guest list is to think in circles!
Korra what in the world does that mean??
Picture three circles: the inner circle includes immediate family and closest friends, the middle circle for extended family and good friends, and the outer circle for acquaintances and colleagues. For a destination wedding, you might only want to invite the inner circle, or perhaps the inner and middle circles. This visual can help you see how many people are truly essential to your big day! And don’t view it as any kind of ranking system just a way to evaluate the place different relationships find value in your life specifically related to your marriage.
Step 4: Get Real About Expectations
Be realistic about who will actually travel for your wedding. Your second cousin might be great, but if they have three small kids and would need to fly cross-country, chances are they might not make the trip. Assessing who is likely to attend can help you pare down the list without feeling guilty.
A local celebration is always a fun thing to consider doing after your destination wedding so those who really would have loved to be there but couldn’t be can still celebrate with you!
Step 5: Use the “One-Year” Rule
If you haven’t spoken to someone in over a year or two, do they really need to be at your wedding? This rule can help you cut down the list to those who are truly involved in your life currently. It’s tough, but remember, your wedding should be shared with people who know and love you both now.
Step 6: No Backtracking
Once you’ve made a decision on your guest list, stick to it. It can be tempting to add “just one more” guest multiple times, but before you know it, your list can grow exponentially. Keep to your numbers and rules to ensure your list only includes those you really want there.
You’re going to potentially have some rough conversations while you are sticking to your guest list and the numbers you want. That’s gonna suck. But it is your wedding day and needs to be filled with those that you love, want to celebrate, and truly deserve to be there.
That being said I do have one hot take when it comes to guest lists- remember that one day no matter how precious to you is worth destroying loving relationships over!! But the keyword there is loving!
Step 7: Be Open and Honest
When questions arise, and guys they will unless your family is WAY chiller than any I have met… be honest with friends or family who might not be on the list. A simple explanation that you’re keeping the event small or intimate due to the nature of the destination can go a long way.
Remember, at the end of the day, your wedding is about celebrating your love and commitment to each other, in a place that means something special to you. Those who care for you will understand your decisions. So keep the focus on what makes you two happy, and everything else will fall into place 🙂 Here’s to a beautiful and memorable destination wedding!
Korra The Explorer
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