Free Wedding Guest List Templates

Wedding Guest List: What Is It?

A Wedding Guest List is a list of people that will receive invitations to attend a wedding. From immediate family members to colleagues, there are people you will want to see at the wedding reception as well as those you would prefer to avoid - it is essential to compile a list of individuals you want to share your celebration with.

For a full list of Wedding Guest List templates please check out our library below.

How to Organize a Wedding Guest List?

Follow these guidelines to arrange a Guest List for a Wedding:

1. Write down the names of every person in your life that immediately comes to mind - even if eventually you decide not to invite them, you need to see the full picture before crossing people out of the list. Discuss this with your partner and the person you put in charge of the wedding budget - together you have to make a realistic decision regarding the number of guests you would like to see on the day of the ceremony.

2. Determine which guests are considered VIPs - usually, there is a separate category of people the bride and groom want to see at their reception no matter how big or small the scale of the event is. Moreover, the closest relatives and friends of the couple get to sit in the first row as well as have access to the best table, in front of all others - see that your Wedding Guest List spreadsheet highlights the names of individuals entitled to special treatment.

3. It is advised to take care of several matters at once - while you are preparing to send out invites, you are booking a venue and creating a seating chart. This is how you will understand who sits where - for instance, put families, couples, and friends together and give your single friends a chance to meet someone new by seating them with other people that do not have a relationship.

How to Make a Wedding Guest List?

See the tips below to create a perfect Wedding Guest List several months before the day of the event:

1. Go for a spreadsheet that includes the names of guests, their contact information, the day you sent out the invite, and the box you tick once they confirmed their attendance. An average Wedding Guest List size is around a hundred people but remember that the final number is up to the engaged couple only - this is your special day and you get to make the decision others will have to respect.

2. Pay attention to the decoration of the Wedding Guest List template in case you will share it with numerous people - from the wedding coordinator to the vendors. Typically, it matches the color scheme you have chosen for other lists and spreadsheets you fill out while preparing for the wedding - white, beige, and pink remain the most commonly used colors. Embellish the template by framing it and inserting small symbols associated with wedding ceremonies like rings and bells.

3. Wedding Guest List etiquette requires the couple to listen to the wishes of their parents if they end up financing the whole event or making a significant contribution to the budget. It is recommended to listen to their suggestions regarding the Guest List for a Wedding and provide them with invitations they get to send to their friends so that you show your gratitude and they feel appreciated and heard.

How to Narrow Down a Wedding Guest List?

Whether your goal is to save money or deal with less planning on your wedding day, a small Wedding Guest List is a great idea - here is how you can trim it down:

1. While you are preparing invitations, make sure to indicate the guests cannot bring a plus one unless their name is specifically stated on the invite. Similarly, you can decrease the number of guests by inviting adults only - let the potential guest know about it in advance.

2. Instead of welcoming every friend and acquaintance you know at a certain venue, give the guests the opportunity to attend your wedding by watching a stream - they will not have to manage travel and accommodation yet will be able to see the ceremony without additional expenses.

3. Only invite people you are regularly in contact with. Surely, your childhood friend you have not talked to for 15 years will not care about the lack of invitation - and you get to save money on serving yet another guest.

4. While many people choose to invite their colleagues, both bride and groom will scale back their wedding budget by opting out of this gesture - unless you have a personal connection with your coworker or two, you should not feel forced to invite them.

Still looking for a particular template? Take a look at the related templates below:

• Wedding Checklist Template;
• Wedding Schedule Template;
• Wedding Ceremony Template.