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Wedding Guest List
Who will be attending the wedding can seem such an obvious question, yet it can make or break your wedding day budget.
This part of your wedding planning is likely to prove the most frustrating part of it all. It will seem at times, that no matter what you do, you will end up upsetting someone. The guest list can be a mine field, as can the seating arrangements if it is a sit down meal.
But don't be too disheartened. With a little bit of careful planning you can at least keep your budget under control, and that is bound to please a few people!
When you are planning your guest list, cost is not often the first thing on your mind. But bear in mind that for each guest, you will have to feed them, hire a venue large enough to hold them all, accommodate them if they come from far away, and even that printed invitation adds to the cost. As a starting point, for each guest, allow at least $25 just for food!
However, of course you want guests at your wedding, and you want the people that are dear to you. This is where you need to plan.
First, there is you and the groom. Next, there is the immediate family for both sides. Now come the attendants: think carefully here. You may want all your best friends as bridesmaids, but they will push up the transport costs as well as the budget as you will be expected to buy gifts for all of them as a sign of your appreciation. A maid of honor is central, but how many other attendants will you need? The same goes for the groom attendants. Of course a best man is a must, but think about the number of ushers that you really need. It is not just the cost of the transport and gifts that you need to consider. They will need to be present at the rehearsal dinner and you cannot expect them to pay for their meal!
Now come all the other friends and more distant family members that you would like to attend your wedding. These will also include friends of your parents, and business associates.
When you have completed you list, look at your budget again. If the two amounts do not tally, then it is time to get out the red pen and start crossing off names until you have a figure that you and your bank manager can live with.
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