The wedding day is the most beautiful day of many people’s lives. However, this is also a costly day, and sometimes corners must be cut. The least difficult means to make savings is to cut down on the guest list since this is the greatest cost of most weddings due to catering expenses. Following are a few helpful etiquette tips for inviting wedding guests.
Often, the parents of the bride and groom will have friends and relatives they wish to ask to the event. Even though these individuals might not be very important for the bride and groom to have with them on their wedding day, it's good to honor the people who are probably paying for the event and give them some involvement in the guest list. It is seen as correct etiquette for the bride and groom to allocate a certain number of spaces for the preferences of each set of parents.
When it comes to the bride and groom, there is a simple technique to manage the guest list. The ones who are positively going to be asked to the ceremony will be put on the “A” list. The “B” list will comprise those who the bride and groom would like to ask if space allows. After the invitations go out and replies come back, the bride and groom can invite people from the “B” list once somebody from the “A” list has indicated they will not attend. This will be awkward to handle if the “B” list individual finds out that they were sent their invitation much later. Chances are, though, that nothing will be said.
One more means to reduce the number of guests is by not permitting all the unattached individuals to bring a guest. This might involve some legwork, because if somebody is considered unattached but they're in a serious relationship, then they should be permitted to bring their significant other. Ask family and friends before targeting a single guest and not allowing them to bring somebody meaningful to them to the nuptials.
Finally, a good number of couples are choosing to hold ceremonies that do not include children. If each guest was allowed to take kids, then the crowd would swell significantly, and so would the expense. As you're addressing the wedding invitations, include just the names of the couple you are requesting the presence of.
If somebody sends back a response and indicates they are bringing a guest when one wasn’t invited or a family responds with four attendees rather than two, there are ways to manage it respectfully. It's necessary to phone these participants and explain the problem. To begin with, find out from the single person if the relationship is serious. If it is, then express regret for not knowing and incorporate the other person if seating permits. In the case of the family, be firm and tell the family that children are not invited and that it's no different for all of the invitees. If they have trouble with this, then make an apology yet stay firm.
There's a certain protocol involved in inviting guests to share your wedding day. Make sure your wedding invitations measure up by visiting the Wedding Invitation Etiquette site.