No-Stress Tips for Managing a Large Guest List
These days, weddings come in all sizes. Some people prefer small, intimate events, while others want a large wedding with everyone they know in attendance. If you’re more inclined to a bigger wedding with a bigger guest list, you’re in luck! With COVID concerns greatly reduced in 2022, more venues are opening up, and more people are saying “yes” to wedding invitations. So, getting guests shouldn’t be a problem. However, you will want to follow these easy tips to help you manage your large guest list.
Create the Guest List Early
If you know you want a large wedding, go ahead and create your guest list as soon as possible. That way, you’ll have a firm idea of how many people you plan to invite. From there, you’ll know which venues won’t work and which ones will. After all, there’s nothing worse than choosing a venue . . . only to find that it can’t accommodate all of your guests. As an added tip, try to select a venue that can accommodate just a few more people than you’re expecting. That way, if you have any last minute additions, it won’t be a problem.
Consider a Pre-Plated Meal
When you’re expecting a big crowd at your wedding, you’ll want to do anything you can to streamline the event. At your reception, for example, consider opting for pre-plated meals instead of a buffet line. With a buffet or other free-for-all serving style, things can get out of control fast with a large group. People might make disorganized lines, jostle for first position, or take more than their fair share of food. Pre-plating and pre-portioning keeps everything a little more controlled.
Organize
A lot of guests means a lot of special requests and preferences to take into consideration. Thus, find some way to keep track of all of this information. A spreadsheet is a good idea because you can list out each guest, any dietary restrictions or other requests, and indicate who is coming with whom and where each person should be seated. Basic seating charts with thorough notes can also be helpful. It doesn’t really matter what type of organizational tool you rely on, but you will want to use something.
Whether you’re getting married in Maui or your own back yard, you deserve to have everyone you care about in attendance. So, don’t feel bad about your big guest list. Go for it! Just keep these helpful tips in mind while you’re in the planning stages.
