5 People to Cut from Your Guest List

Out of all the budget saving tips out there, one of the few things that can actually save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars is cutting your guest list. Sometimes you’re just trying to save a few bucks, sometimes cutting your guest list is a necessity to be able to fit into your dream venue or afford your dream caterer or whatever the situation may be.

No matter what, if you’re here, you’re in for some tough decisions. None of these cuts are required, of course, but it’s a good place to start if you’re in desperate need of cutting the list down.

1. People you haven’t spoken to in over a year

There are of course exceptions, but when narrowing down your list, it’s a good idea to keep in mind your closest friends that you want to celebrate your big day with. While your childhood friends might have meant something at one time, there’s a good chance you haven’t spoken to most of them in years and you probably won’t miss them if they’re not there.

2. Family friends you aren’t, or were never, close to

This one is a little up in the air if you are not the ones paying for the wedding, but if you’re paying for it on your own, you shouldn’t feel guilty cutting your parents’ friends from the list. If your parents are covering the costs, maybe try talking to them about limiting the number of family friends to ones with whom you are well acquainted.

3. Extended family

Yikes, right? Well, this applies mainly to the people with huge extended families. I’m talking cousins in the double digits. Weddings are a great reason for families to get together, but this doesn’t mean your wedding should turn into a family reunion. If you’re desperate to cut down your guest list and have a huge family, it may be time to think about which cousins and great aunts your closest to and pass on the others. It’s a hard task, but worth it in the end.

4. People you only see at work

Or school or wherever. You may feel obligated to invite them, since you see them so often, but inviting coworkers is not a requirement. If you were invited to their wedding, you can still invite them to yours, otherwise, it may be a good idea to leave them off the list. Ask yourself this question: would you still be friends with them if you left your job? Would you still hang out and have a Snapchat streak? If the answer is yes, it’s a solid maybe. If not, it’s probably a no.

5. Social media friends

No doubt that when you announced your engagement on social media, you got more likes than you have ever before. Despite the fact that these people are just excited enough for you to like you status change, not every one of them will make it on the final guest list. Or even the first round.

When thinking about all the groups of people who you may or may not invite to your wedding, we suggest making lists. Your first list should be your A-list guests—friends and family members that you cannot imagine getting married without. From there, broaden your lists until you’ve covered everyone you’ve thought about inviting and you’ll have a better idea of whether or not they’re going to make the final cut.

There are so many small details that go into creating your dream wedding, but that doesn’t mean you should have to stress. Generation Tux lets you sample your clothing before the big day, in the comfort of your living room. See what we have to offer to make your union extraordinary.

Featured image by Bethany Small