Engaged! Now What? Part 4

No jumping ahead! If you haven't read Part 1 (the glow), Part 2 (the when), Part 3 (the how much), go back!

OK. Now that you know how much you have to spend, now what?

The guest list could be another tough item to tackle, although it doesn't have to be that way (oh did I mention that most of the difficult tasks happen up front?) My hubby and I hammered out our guest list in about one hour! We gave our parents guidelines on whom they could invite and they obliged, which helps a lot.

• With your budget in mind, come up with the number of guests you could comfortably host.
• Then, both of you make a list of people you want to invite. I would also ask your parents as to who they want to invite. Afterall, my parents had friends they had known their whole adult lives and have also known me since I was a thought in my parents' mind. They are almost family!
• Now if this master list of guests has a higher count than your ideal numbers, start trimming. This is where it gets tricky. You need to set some rules for yourselves on whom to keep and whom to cut. Some advice I had given in the past:
• Joe Smith and Guest. Only invite significant others that a) you know the name of; b) your friend is married to; or c) you've met. The only except I would make is for the wedding party. The way I rationalize it is that why should I pay $100+ per person for someone I don't know.
• Your colleagues. If you invite one, do you have to invite them all? I say, if you hang out with them outside of work, then you can invite them. The only exception I would make is for your bosses.
• Your parents' guests. The conversation with both sets of parents has to happen, like it or not, sooner rather than later. You might need to give them a limit on how many tables they can have.
  
• Kids - Maybe you want an adult only reception. Maybe only relatives can bring kids. There might be people who won't come unless they can bring their children. This one is tough.
  
• Be realistic about your invitees. When was the last time you had contact with someone? How close are you to them?
  
• OK. THIS IS YOUR LIST. That's right. One list. No A list, B list, C list. If people didn't make it onto your A list, they know. I've been on a B list before and I could tell based on how late I received the invitation.

Always a Bridesmaids blog has a helpful entry on what to do with a growing guest list caused by others and how to handle sticker shock.

We're off for the weekend to work at an event but will be back Monday to discuss finding a venue!