WEDDING INVITATIONS AND GUESTS

Wedding guest list

Unless you're escaping to the sunshine 'a deux', you're probably planning on inviting guests to your wedding. Putting your guest list together is one of the first things you'll need to do - the budget, venue or even the wedding cake can't be finalised until you know how many people you'll be catering for. Guest lists should always be fair. No doubt you will consult both  sets of parents to see who they would like to invite, and decisions need to be made in terms of  inviting family (will you invite first cousins, second cousins, children?). If your basic list gives you the number of guests you had expected - congratulations! Unfortunately, many couples  will feel that they need to 'cut' the list down a little. If this is the case, you can always have a  'B' list of people who will be invited if there are any refusals. Just be sure not to let people know that they were only on the 'reserve list'!

 

Wedding invitations

Generally speaking, invitations should be sent out 8-12 weeks before the big day. However, you might like to allow longer or send out ‘save the date’ cards if guests are travelling from abroad or you're getting married  over a bank holiday. As well as featuring the obvious (date, location and time!) the invitation should give your guests helpful information to make attending your wedding as easy as possible for them. You might decide to give details of local accommodation, directions to the ceremony and reception venues and contact details for taxi companies. It's also a good idea to ask for details of any dietary requirements, and to let people know an RSVP date. Strictly speaking, mentioning the gift list in the invitation isn't polite but it's certainly practical and, so long as the mention is discreet, is becoming more acceptable.

Wedding seating plan

Putting together a seating plan is one of the most challenging aspects of wedding planning.  Obviously it's always wise to sit people together who you think will get on well, and to separate people who won't. Pay particular attention to guests who are coming alone and will know very few  people - sitting them with friends who are sociable and will make them feel welcome. When it comes to the top table, if you want to stick to tradition, you'll be sitting with both sets of parents, your best man and chief bridesmaid. However, these days, so long as everyone is happy - anything  goes. Some couples choose to sit with their friends, or even to have a table for two!

 

And finally...saying thank you

Chances are that many guests will travel a distance to share your big day, and that they will also  send a wedding gift. Both deserve thanks, and this should be sent in the form of a hand-written letter or card. Be sure to make these 'thank-you letters' personal - mentioning the particular gift, and commenting on how lovely it was to see them at the wedding.