Ah, the guest list. One minute you’re dreaming of an intimate, candlelit dinner with your closest loved ones, and the next, your parents are demanding you invite your second cousin’s neighbor’s best friend. Wedding guest lists have a sneaky way of expanding faster than you can say “Do we really have to invite Aunt Karen’s yoga instructor?”
So, how do you decide how many people to invite without losing your sanity (or your budget)? Let’s break it all down—real talk, no fluff.
🎯 Quick Answer: How Many Guests Should You Have?
💡 The average wedding has around 100-150 guests, but your perfect number depends on your budget, venue, and vibe.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
✔ Elopement (2-10 guests): Just the two of you (and maybe a witness or two).
✔ Micro wedding (10-50 guests): Intimate, meaningful, and stress-free.
✔ Medium wedding (50-150 guests): The sweet spot—big enough to celebrate, small enough to stay personal.
✔ Large wedding (150+ guests): Grand, energetic, and (let’s be honest) a bit chaotic.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
🏰 Step 1: What Kind of Wedding Are You Dreaming Of?
Before you open that guest list spreadsheet, take a second to picture your wedding day.
- Are you exchanging vows on a cliffside in Santorini?
- Toasting under fairy lights at a vineyard in Tuscany?
- Partying till dawn in a New York City loft?
Your vision will naturally shape your guest list size.
💡 Destination weddings (like Santorini, Greece or Lake Como, Italy) are typically smaller (20-50 guests) since not everyone will travel.
💡 Hometown weddings tend to be larger (100-200 guests) because people are already nearby.
💡 Elopements keep it just you two (or a handful of loved ones).
💸 Step 2: Guest Count vs. Budget—How Much Will It Cost?
Here’s the deal: every extra guest costs you more.
Let’s do the math. If catering is $150 per person:
- 50 guests = $7,500
- 100 guests = $15,000
- 200 guests = $30,000
Now add drinks, tables, chairs, invites… suddenly, that “small” guest list decision is saving you thousands.
💰 Pro Tip: Want a luxury venue like Villa Balbiano on Lake Como without breaking the bank? Shrink the guest list. Fewer guests = more budget per person for a wow-factor experience.
📝 Step 3: The Must-Have List vs. The Maybe List
It’s time to get ruthless with your guest list.
📌 Write two lists:
✔ The Absolutely Must-Have People: Your ride-or-dies, closest family, and the ones who’ll make your day unforgettable.
✔ The Maybe List: Distant cousins, old college roommates, co-workers… the ones who might not make the cut.
If you hesitated even slightly about someone, they go on the Maybe List.
🚀 Pro Tip: Stressed about uninvited guests? Use this line: “We’d love to invite everyone, but our venue has a strict limit.” (Blame the venue—it works every time.)
🎭 Step 4: Plus-Ones, Kids & The “Do We Have to Invite Them?” Debate
Here’s where it gets really tricky.
👶 Should You Invite Kids?
- ❌ No kids: Fewer meltdowns, no cake-covered toddlers.
- ✅ Kids welcome: Some guests might struggle with childcare.
💌 Who Gets a Plus-One?
- Married, engaged, or in long-term relationships? Yes.
- Your single friend who just started dating someone last week? Not necessary.
🤷 The “We Should Probably Invite Them” People?
If you wouldn’t grab dinner with them in the next year, don’t feel obligated.
💬 Step 5: The Parent Factor (a.k.a. The Negotiation Stage)
If your parents are contributing financially, they might expect guest list input.
- Give them a set number of “extra” invites (e.g., 10-15 guests each).
- Offer compromises (e.g., invite their friend group but only to the reception).
- Stand your ground. It’s your wedding, not their networking event.
✨ Final Guest List Numbers: What’s Right for You?
Still unsure? Here’s your wedding guest list personality test:
✔ You want deep connections & stress-free planning → Micro wedding (10-50 guests)
✔ You want the perfect balance of fun & intimacy → Medium wedding (50-150 guests)
✔ You love a packed dance floor & don’t mind the chaos → Big wedding (150+ guests)
At the end of the day, it’s not about the number—it’s about the experience.
📸 Now, Let’s Capture Those Perfect Moments!
No matter how big (or small) your wedding is, one thing’s for sure—you’ll want to remember every moment. That’s where I come in!
💛 Explore my wedding photography blog for dreamy inspiration.
💰 Check out my wedding photography packages to find the perfect fit.
📩 Ready to book? Let’s chat!
Your wedding day will be unforgettable—let’s make sure your photos are too. 🥂✨
