Oh, the dreaded guest list—truly the final boss of wedding planning. If you thought picking the perfect dress or locking down just one final flower offer was tough, just wait until you’re knee-deep in plus-one politics and dodging guilt trips from your second cousin’s hairdresser’s dog walker. But don’t worry, darling, we’re here to help you navigate!
Photo: Martina Škrobot
Let’s Play a Game: Who Makes the Cut?
If you need help deciding who gets an invite and who gets a polite “love you, mean it, but no,” here’s a quick checklist:
- Have you spoken to them in the last year (without it being forced small talk at the grocery store)?
- Would you grab dinner with them just the two of you? No group settings to buffer awkwardness.
- Are they a must-have memory in your wedding album?
- Do they bring good energy, or do they thrive on drama?
- Will their presence make your day better?
If you answered “no” to most of these, darling, they’re not wedding material. Send them a cute Instagram recap after the fact and keep it moving.
Photo: Martina Škrobot
Sorry, Mom, No Random Family Friends
One of the sneakiest ways a guest list balloons overnight? Parents. They suddenly “just remembered” that they have to invite their coworkers, gym buddies, and that one couple they met on a cruise in 2009. We love a supportive parent moment, but let’s set some boundaries, shall we? A good rule of thumb: cap their invites at 10% of your total guest list. That way, they get their moment, and you don’t end up throwing a wedding that looks like their high school reunion.
Photo: Martina Škrobot
The RSVP Reality Check
Pro tip: Don’t assume everyone you invite is going to show up. If your wedding is a destination wedding, on average, expect around 75% attendance. So, when you send out those invites, just know that life happens, travel plans get messy, and sometimes, people flake. No hard feelings—just more cake for you.
Photo: Martina Škrobot
Quality Over Quantity
The people at your wedding should be the ones who matter. The ones who will ugly cry during your vows, hit the dance floor like it’s their last night on Earth, and send you the cutest messages the morning after, reminiscing about how magical it all was. That’s the guest list you want—not the one that makes you stress-text your wedding planner at 2 a.m 🙂
And remember, no regrets—only good vibes and even better wedding pics. XOXO.
