The guest list…(daunting we know), is it getting out of hand? 120 people and you're at 160, and don't know how to trim the fat? Babes, TMB’s got you, obvi!

We are going to dive head first into all things that are going to make writing your guest list the most blissful experience EVER!

NARROW DOWN YOUR LIST

Easier said than done, we know, but this is the most crucial step in making sure all your people are getting invites, and the neighbour you haven't seen in 3 years can wait for the photos on the gram (sorry not sorry).

Ok besties, grab your notepads and pencils, we’re taking it back to grade school. Three columns, yes you read that right, three.

Immediate family
Close friends (and we mean close OK)
Acquaintances ( parents invites, vendors & co-workers)

The Fam

This column is for … IMMEDIATE family. We’re talking Grandma, Nonno, your mom's sister Jane, maybe your first cousin Becky (if you like her), those people. Not your great aunt Bessie and her husband Hubert who live across the country who you haven't talked to since they visited when you were six. Harsh, sorry we felt that a little bit too, but this is how we get sh*t done. Having family at your wedding is so special, and we know you want to have everyone there, but you can’t. So narrowing in on those core people in your life will save you in the long run, we promise.

The Friends

Friends… This one is hard for people too, but it’s time to get down to business. When you think of friends, who comes to mind? (yea, write them down), when you got engaged, who couldn't you wait to tell? These are your people, your must-haves, the nonnegotiables, the VIPs if you will. The people that are most important in your life and the ones who will be there smiling and crying as you walk your fine booty down that aisle. You want to look back at your wedding photos with people and see friendships that have been there since you and your financé’s beginning and that will continue to last a lifetime.

The Acquaintances

Alright, here we go… acquaintances. This category will cover everyone from co-workers, vendors, parents invites, and all those in between.

Parent’s invites

This one's easy, ya I said it. Let's keep this short, sweet, and to the point, anyone who's close to you, who are also friends of your parents… will be included on your acquaintances list already. We suggest giving parents on both sides of the family a maximum of 10-15 people to invite depending on the size of your wedding, that way you can focus YOUR guest list on YOUR people. Your family wouldn't count, and their close friends may already be on your list, but if they're not, this gives your parents the chance to really narrow it down for themselves on who their must-haves are. If you’re hearing names and saying “Who is that?” or seeing names of people you haven't seen since you were born… they’re a no. immediately no (sorry Mom and Dad).

Vendors

Vendors, they're important. These are the people that are spending their night, trying to make yours magical. However, not all vendors are getting a seat at the table. Vendors like makeup artists and florists, they come and they go (in the best way possible) they're with you the morning of, getting you ready and setting up, they won't be hanging around until dinner but a nice thank you card to them after your wedding day goes a long way.

DJ, wedding planner, photographer, and videographer… they can definitely sit with us. Photographers and videographers are with us all day long, filming and photographing the entire day, they deserve a seat at the table. Your DJ… they’re there, hangin’ out, making sure the music vibes are flowin’, they deserve a plate. All vendors who are with you throughout the day will require a dinner setting (it’s even in their contracts!).

Co-workers

Ahh yes, the co-workers! Besties, if you want to invite your co-workers, DO IT, but don't feel obligated to invite them all, we suggest just having the ones around that you're close with!

Plus One’s

Who gets a plus one might you ask? Ahh yes, this is the part you probably skimmed through the rest to get to…

Excuse me while I just raise my voice a few octaves here so that the people in the back can hear me loud and clear… The way we see it…

PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING A PLUS ONES, ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS. Ok, there we said it, wow that felt good.Times have changed, weddings are expensive and guest lists are getting smaller.

We don't need to be giving our single friends dates… why? So your hubby’s buddy Brian can find a random Tinder date to bring along to the wedding… no thanks. This right here is a full circle moment, besties, we're coming back to the part where we need to cherish the guest list…honor the guest list…love the guest list!! We are not allowing Netflix and chill to infiltrate our beautiful day, okay?

So let us go over a few key notes, shall we?

We are narrowing down the list, to 3 columns. Right? Got it.
We are reeling the parents in, they get to invite some people, not the whole entire city.

and last, but certainly not least…

3. Plus ones, long term relationships only… long-term relationships only.

Well, besties, that's it from us! We truly wish you all the luck, as you pick your people, it's not easy, we know! But stay focused, you got this babe!

As always, we love you!

xoxo TMB

The Guest List And Who Gets A Plus One