Guest List 101: Creating the Perfect Guest List for Your Wedding.
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There are many points to consider when you finally sit down to draw up the wedding guest list. Initially, you’ll have to figure out your budget and how big a list you can create. Then you’ll have to decide who to leave out, whom you’ll invite with a guest and whether children are invited. In the end, the decisions are all up to you, but hopefully the following guidelines will help you get started.
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First, decide how many guests you’ll be able to invite.
After determining the budget with your families, customarily the bride and her family and the groom and his family each invites half the guests. At times, though, one family will have a longer list (if, for instance, the bride has a small family, or the groom’s family must travel a long distance to attend). The guest list may also be divided three ways: guests the bride’s parents invite, guests the groom’s parents invite, and guests the couple each invite.
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Then, make a master wedding invitation list.
The bride usually compiles a list for her side of the family with her parents; the groom, with his parents. Also compile a "wish list" to invite as guests refuse. (If one of you has divorced parents, rely primarily on the parent who raised you for help in drawing up your list). Be sure all names (first, middle initial, and last) are spelled correctly, all titles (Dr., Ms., Lt. Col.) are correct, addresses are updated and zip codes are included. (Use index cards or a computer to alphabetize the lists easily and to eliminate duplications)
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You are not obligated to invite guests with your single friends.
If you do decide to, find out beforehand whom they intend to bring and ask for their name and address; it is proper to send a separate invitation to that person. Don’t write "and Guest" on the inner and outer envelope of your friend’s invitation. If the couple lives together, you many send one invitation to them both, just as you would to a married couple (list their names alphabetically on the envelope).
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Send invitations to the principals in the wedding.
This includes your parents, the clergy member and his or her spouse, your fiancé’s immediate family, the members of your wedding party (and their parents if your budget allows), even though they’ve been invited informally. Some brides even mail an invitation to themselves – which lets them know which day their guests receive the invitation in the mail.
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