Wedding Guest List Management
This playbook outlines strategies for effectively creating and managing a wedding guest list. It covers the process from initial creation, making difficult choices, tracking invitations, and organizing RSVPs.
Step 1: Initial List
Create an initial list of potential guests. Include family, friends, colleagues, and other acquaintances whom you might consider inviting. Segregate the list into 'must-have' invites and 'nice-to-have' invites.
Step 2: Budget Analysis
Assess your budget and venue capacity to determine the maximum number of guests you can invite. This will help you make necessary cuts to your initial list.
Step 3: Prioritize Guests
Use your 'must-have' and 'nice-to-have' lists to prioritize guests based on your budget and venue constraints, considering the closeness and importance of each relationship.
Step 4: Send Invitations
Prepare and send out your wedding invitations. Include all necessary details and a method for RSVPing, and request RSVPs by a specific date.
Step 5: Track RSVPs
Create a system to track RSVPs as they come in. This could be a spreadsheet or a wedding planning app where you can note who has responded and who has not.
Step 6: Follow Up
Reach out to guests who have not responded by the RSVP deadline to confirm their attendance.
Step 7: Finalize List
Based on the RSVPs and after following up, finalize your guest list. Make any necessary adjustments according to the latest counts.
Step 8: Seating Plan
Create a seating chart for your wedding reception. Place guests strategically, considering relationships and dynamics, to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
General Notes
Sensitive Cuts
When removing people from your guest list, be sensitive and considerate. If someone asks why they were not invited, be honest but gentle in your explanation.
Plus-One Policy
Decide on a consistent policy for allowing guests to bring a plus-one and communicate this clearly in your invitations.
Contingency List
Have a contingency list of guests who you couldn't invite initially due to space but might consider if more room becomes available from declined RSVPs.