Putting together a well-thought-out guest list is a crucial aspect of wedding planning, and the importance of getting it right often tends to get glossed over or forgotten.

We’ve rounded up the most impactful tips—this handy compilation contains everything you need to know to achieve the ultimate wedding guest list.

The Dos of Creating Your Wedding Guest List

Do: Establish your budget and the size of the wedding first. Weddings can get pretty pricey—experts estimate that with food and drink combined you can expect to pay around $85 per person. Additionally, determining the size and budget of your wedding helps guide you to the perfect venue.

Do: Start your guest list early. Immediately after you’ve set parameters around the size and budget for your big day, sit down with your fiancée and start putting together your list.

Do: Establish clear criteria about who will be invited: is your wedding strictly for family and close friends, or will you be extending invites to coworkers and acquaintances as well? As you compile your list of invitees, make sure that both you and your fiancée are equally represented.

Do: Assume that around 80% of the people on your list will RSVP—fewer if it’s a destination wedding. 

Do: Make sure you pay attention to (and have space for!) plus ones. Also, make it clear from the get-go if your wedding welcomes kiddos or not.

Do: Create a buffer of sorts; plan for a few extra heads, just in case. You’ll be glad you did when your cousin who never RSVP’d arrives unexpectedly with their new girlfriend on their arm…

Do: Pay attention to addresses to make sure you’re sending your wedding day invitations to the right place. Don’t be shy about following up with people who haven’t RSVP’d after they’ve been sent.

Do: Use a spreadsheet or a wedding guest tracking tool to keep track of the attendees who’ve responded and will be there, witnessing and celebrating your big day.

Do: Be sensitive to family dynamics, but don’t start inviting people you’re not that close with simply to appease others.

The Don’ts of Creating Your Wedding Guest List

Don’t: Be afraid to rework your list a few times if it feels as though it’s growing out of control. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to think through a few iterations before sending out the save-the-dates.

Don’t: Leave anyone important out. If you’d like, have a parent, sibling, or close friend quickly glance over your list just to make sure everyone who’s part of the group is included.

Don’t: Overextend yourself. Remember that this is your day. Family members may want to have some input on who gets invited, but ultimately, it’s up to you who to include.

Don’t: Forget to include your wedding party as part of your guest list headcount. Your gorgeous bridesmaids—all decked out in their stunning Bella Bridesmaids dresses—will be eating, drinking, dancing and celebrating along with everyone else.

Don’t: Forget to update your list as people begin to RSVP.

Don’t: Be afraid to send out two lots of invites. The first can be to your closest, most important group of friends and family—your A-group. Then, based on the number of guests from that first group who aren’t able to attend, send out a second lot of invites to people you’d like to have there, but who (for whatever reason) aren’t on your A-group list.

Don’t: Gloss over important details. Your invites may include different meal options, and be sure you’re aware of who selected what—especially people with allergies and other dietary restrictions.

Don’t: Procrastinate when it comes to creating your guest seating chart, either.

Don’t: Be afraid to use things like venue capacity, the vision you have for your big day, or other restrictions as an excuse for why someone isn’t invited. 

You have our permission to insert a little white lie here and there if its purpose is to help minimize hurt feelings.

Conclusion:

Your guest list is important. Not only does it determine how much money you spend and the type of venue you choose, the people attending also influence the overall vibe and tone of your celebration.

By starting early and not rushing to send out invites right away, you’ll end up with a more well-thought-out list. One that aligns perfectly with your budget, and serves to represent all the people who love and support you. These are the people who will help make your wedding celebration a truly magical experience.