For any newly engaged couple, it’s an incredibly exciting time with lots of planning and preparation. One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is your wedding guest list. Lucky for you, 50Gram Wedding is here to help!
We know figuring out who to invite and when can be overwhelming, so we created this comprehensive month-by-month guide for organizing your wedding guest list. It’s designed to keep couples up-to-date on the latest wedding trends, etiquette and tips for managing guests quickly and efficiently.
In just a few weeks, you’ll have an amazing list of happy guests ready to celebrate your special day! Start by reading our guide now, and you’ll be well on your way to stress-free wedding prep.
Create Your Wedding Guest List: 4-6 Months Before Your Wedding
It’s time to start organizing your wedding guest list! If you’re ready to start, the best timeline will be four to six months before your big day. This time is ideal because it will give you plenty of opportunity to plan ahead, but not so early that people forget about your invite.
To get started, begin with a list of your core guests. These people will likely include family members, close friends and anyone that plays an important role in your life. This can also be the time to decide if the “plus one” rule applies or prefer a single-guest policy.
Then, construct additional groups for other colleagues, friends and acquaintances you’d like to invite. Ensure you give yourself enough variety so everyone feels included in the festivities! Lastly, if you’re considering inviting distant relatives or non-traditional guests (e.g., children or pets), make sure these decisions are locked in as soon as possible – it can be hard enough keeping track of numerous guest lists on top of everything else you have going on for the wedding!
By taking time for this important step, you can ensure all your special guests feel included and cared for on this joyous day!
Send Out Save-the-Dates: 3-4 Months Before Your Big Day
3-4 months before your big day is the perfect time to send out your save-the-dates! Make sure to start early when considering who you want to invite and the size of your wedding—it will give you plenty of time to confirm who can come and make any necessary changes before sending out your formal invitations.
Remember, starting with the people closest to you is important—your family, bridal party, and close friends. Once you’ve settled on an accurate list, spread the word! Give yourself 8-12 weeks before your wedding day so everyone has enough time to plan accordingly and make arrangements.
Save-the-dates don’t have to be fancy or costly—especially if you’re on a budget; some couples opt for magnets or even postcards customized with your names, wedding date and location. If you really want to give it a personal touch, add a few fun facts about how you met or something quirky about yourselves as a couple!
Follow Up With Guests Who Haven’t Responded Yet: 2 Months Out
It’s time to follow up with those guests who have yet to respond! Two months out from the big day, make sure to send a friendly reminder to anyone who has yet to confirm their attendance. You don’t want to be stuck wondering if your guests are coming or not come the actual day!
With 50Gram Wedding’s online wedding planner, this process is easier than ever. All you need to do is:
- Select ‘Follow Up With Guests’ on the RSVP page
- Choose the guest list to whom you want to send a reminder
- Compose and send a friendly reminder that includes all the important information
- Receive and review replies from guests who have responded
- Manage your RSVP count easily and accurately for each event section
This way, you can keep track of who’s coming and who’s staying at home – leaving you more headspace for more important things!
Finalize Your Wedding Seating Chart: 6-8 Weeks Before the Wedding
You may not know this, but finalizing your wedding seating chart is incredibly important! Seating plans can make or break a reception, so taking the time to properly plan and assign seats to your guests is key. To ensure your wedding seating runs smoothly, finalizing your seating chart about 6-8 weeks before the big day is best.
So how do you go about doing this? Here are a few tips for organizing your wedding seating:
Assigning Seats in Advance
Making pre-assigned seats for each table is essential for a smooth and stress-free wedding! You can assign larger tables with 8-10 guests or smaller tables with 4-6. Remember that assigning seats can help prevent last-minute disagreements between guests.
Set Up Social Tables
Including a few social tables at your reception helps make it more fun and carefree! This allows single friends or family members to sit together rather than separately at multiple tables. Plus, this will enable groups of friends to mingle and have a great time together!
Label Each Table Appropriately
Label each table appropriately with cards that match your theme. The cards should include the table number, a unique name (to avoid confusion), and the corresponding seat numbers. Plus, if you’re looking for something extra special for your reception – consider personalized glassware for each table – it’s sure to add that extra touch of elegance!
By taking the time to carefully plan out your wedding seating chart in advance, you can help avoid any confusion or awkwardness on the big day!
Send Out Wedding Invitations: 6-8 Weeks Before the Wedding
It’s time to send out those wedding invitations! 6 to 8 weeks before your wedding day is the perfect time to prepare your invites.
You should have a comprehensive list of the people you’d like to invite at this stage. If any last-minute additions crop up—like a workmate or college friend you’ve recently reconnected with—now’s the time to update your invite list if needed.
To get your guests excited about the special day ahead, remember to include the following:
- A detailed map of the wedding venue and directions on how to get there (that 50Gram Wedding Map is beneficial!)
- Any additional information regarding dress codes or any activities that could be included in your after-party or reception
- An RSVP card with postage paid so that guests can easily inform you whether they plan on attending or not
- Any instructions regarding potential accommodations (e.g. hotel discounts) if they are travelling from far away
With the invites all sorted, you can sit back and relax, knowing that everyone on your guest list is aware of when and where your special day will take place!
Make Final Reminders and Updates: 2 Weeks Until “I Do”
Two weeks before your wedding, you can make final reminders and updates to your guest list. Ensure that your wedding guests’ final headcount is accurate and that any last-minute changes have been notified to those responsible for catering, seating arrangements, etc.
At this point, you don’t want to add any new guests, but you could always adjust if necessary. There are a few ways to make sure no one gets left out:
Send Final Reminders
Send out final reminders or confirmations directly to each guest or their household. This is a polite way to ensure everyone remembers their commitment and comes on the big day. You can also double-check with them about which dishes they will be bringing, plus any other special requests you may have.
Update Your Guest List Manager
Ensure that your updates on who’s in and who’s out are reflected in your wedding planner’s (50Gram Wedding) guest list manager. That way, if there are any last-minute changes, all those involved can easily access the most up-to-date information.
Send Gift Thank Yous
During these two weeks from “I Do”, take some time to thank everyone who has sent you a wedding gift already. Even if it’s just a hand-written note as a token of appreciation – it would go a long way!
With this guide in hand, you’ll be ready for everything else leading up to the big day – starting with making sure your final guest list is perfect!
Still, trying to figure out your wedding guest list? Here is the mind map for you!
Conclusion
Pulling together a wedding guest list can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With this guide, you now have the tools to tackle the task with confidence and ease. Follow the timeline and stay focused; before you know it, you’ll have nailed down your list of guests.
With every milestone you tick off, your wedding day gets one step closer. At 50Gram Wedding, we understand that getting married is a big task, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Make planning your wedding manageable and less stressful, and get ready to enjoy the big day with your favourite people.
FAQ
A good timeline to begin organizing your wedding guest list is four to six months before your big day.
Your core guest list should consist of family members, close friends, and anyone who plays an important role in your life.
It’s recommended to send out save-the-dates 3-4 months before your wedding day.
Two months before the wedding, you can use 50Gram Wedding’s online wedding planner to send friendly reminders to guests who still need to confirm their attendance.
It’s best to finish your wedding seating chart about 6-8 weeks before the wedding day.
