Probably no other part of wedding planning is the reason for as much frustration & ill-will as the guest list. Just who will be present to take part in the big event is the one area that no family has ever been able to fully agree on. Even if all the money in the world is available for the wedding, there’re still budgets established. Most of the time some of the prospective guests never actually make it onto the final guest list. And guess what? As upsetting as it may beat the time, eventually those who are not invited will recovery.

When should the couple put together the guest list? Even though it does not have to be set in stone, a fairly approximate head count is needed early on in the wedding planning stage. The number of guests invited to your wedding will have a considerable effect on your wedding budget. Remember, they areyour guests & you will need to accommodate each & every one of them! Things that you really need to take into consideration is the size of the both the location of the wedding ceremony & reception, the cost of wedding invitations & possible location of overnight accommodations for out of town guests. On average, budget $25 per person to cover food.

If you do not plan to elope you’ll want friends & relatives to share this your special day with you… Start of the guest list with those who have to be included such as you & your mate & your immediate families. Please take note that I said ‘immediate’ & not ‘extended’ family. Mothers, fathers, step-parents, brothers, sisters & grandparents are absolute musts, unless personal situations dictate otherwise. According to the above estimate, you are already spending about $300 for food just on this group! This is a good time to rethink the number of guests that you were considering.

It is tradition to have wedding attendants & they should be added to the guest list next. The next group of guests to be added to the list is the wedding attendants. There is more. Traditionally, weddings have at the very least a maid or matron of honor & the best man. After these two, the number of bridesmaids & ushers is your individual decision. But remember, even though the attendants will be paying the costs for their attire, the number of wedding attendants will have an impact on your budget. Why? First, they will be at the rehearsal dinner & they will expect to eat for free. Second, the bride & groom traditionally give each of the attendants a gift as a way of showing their appreciation, so the more attendants, the more gifts you buy. And something that is not always considered, a large number of attendants may increase your transportation costs.

With the basics established, it is time to add friends, co-workers, extended family members, your parents’ friends & business associates, your realtor, the butcher, & on & on. Place virtually everyone you’re considering inviting on your guest list. At this point it’s time to reduce the list to a manageable size. With the use of a red pen, begin cutting until your arrive at that magical number you desire.

Nikki Carroll is a proud mother, wife & co-owner of http://www.myloveweddingfavors.com with Discount Wedding Favors to fit your wedding budget

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