WRITTEN BY JULIANNE CUOMO, DIRECTOR OF CELEBRATIONS.

Making a wedding guest list can be one of the hardest tasks for an engaged couple to create. I have had many couples ask me if they should invite certain people even though they don’t talk as much as they would like. They also ask if they should invite guests’ children. Another popular question is should distant relatives be invited? There is no right or wrong I can give you for these questions. What I can do is help you sort through your thoughts to finalize your wedding guest list.

Tips for making your wedding guest list from Golden Ocala.

Pick a Number

First you need to decide how big of a wedding you want to have. You need to pick the number of wedding guests you want to have for your big day. First thing to think of is your budget. The more people you invite the more it will cost. You have to think of paying for their dinner, drinks and wedding favors. Once you decide how many people you want to have at your wedding, you can then move on to the next step.

Family and Friends

First write down your wedding party, parents of the bride and groom and all siblings. Next move on to your closets friends and family members. Then you can start writing down close friends and extended family members. Start counting. If you are over you need to decide, as a couple, who you can start taking off the bottom of the list. If you are under you can either keep adding or you can leave it at that. When you send “save the dates” invitations, not everyone needs to receive one to be on your wedding list. You can always add people you forgot to the list closer to the wedding date.

Add your closest friends and family to you guest list first, then work from there.

A key factor you need to remember while finalizing your guest list is this is your big day. Do not feel obligated to invite people you don’t want to invite. This is your day and no one else’s. People understand that weddings are expensive and you only have room for a certain number. In the end go with your gut. You know who you want to share YOUR wedding with.

For more wedding trends and tips visit our wedding blog!