Pick your guests first!

You may change your guest list if you fall in love with a smaller venue, but it's good to have a list of essential guests before you start.

Drawing up that all important VIP list can be one of the most challenging aspects of planning a wedding. It can be a minefield but ultimately you have to put you and your husband first and if you have a strict budget /venue capacity, you must stick to it.

The only people you really need to consider when compiling the list are the parents - especially if they are offering financial support. You should still have the final say, but allow them input as a way of showing you appreciate their help.  It may be an idea to ask parents who they definitely want to attend and then any people they would like to invite if possible. They will understand your constraints.

Where to start?

An easy place to start is immediate family, close relatives and close friends. Once you've collated that list you may start thinking about colleagues and distant relatives.

Things to think about

• Will you invite children? Will there be a cut off age?
• Will you invite plus-ones? If so, will you allow anyone other than the name on the invite? Sometimes a friend may meet someone just weeks before the day - have you got room for them?
• Will you invite long-term partners to the day and casual dates to the evening reception?
• Will work colleagues be invited?
• Will distant relatives be invited?
• Will not inviting children affect who can attend?

You really must not worry about offending people. It is your day and you should only invite the people you and your parents would like to attend.

Don't feel that you have to invite plus-ones as the cost can soon add up and your friends and family will understand if you have a set budget.

It is an honour to be invited to a wedding and you should always accept the decisions of the bride and groom.

Picking the venue. Click here.

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