Your Guest List

We specialize in helping brides plan for and select the perfect invitations and wedding stationery. It is unlikely that you have organized and sent out so many pieces of a paper trousseau before so do allow our trained experts to help you. Traditional guidelines exist for wedding invitation wording and we can help you through the list. However, many couples are choosing to move away from the traditional and wish to incorporate their own style. We can help you with that choice as well. Know that our experienced staff has been helping brides to create the perfect invitation for years. Because the invitation sets the tone for the wedding you have planned, it is important that it be selected with care. It makes the first impression on the guests so we urge you to make your choices with the same attention you will pay to the rest of your wedding. Arriving at the guest list for your wedding and reception is one of the early tasks you will need to undertake. Here are some of the points you will want to consider as you create your guest list.

a. What style wedding are you planning? If you have chosen a formal, traditional wedding that will likely drive your choice of wording, paper stock and print style. If you are planning a smaller, more casual affair that choice can be reflected in the style of invitation you choose.

b. What size wedding are you planning? If you have a large event planned with a separate reception to which everyone on the guest list will be invited, you will need to have that number when you come to order your invitations. If it is to be a small intimate ceremony with a larger reception either that day or in another city, your paper needs will be different. Your budget will also help you decide on who and how many guests to include.

c. When determining the guest list, it is usually divided 50/50 between families of the bride and groom. However, many circumstances can change that division. Today’s older couples, who have extensive networks of their own friends, may choose to compile the list with 1/3 each for the bride’s family, the groom’s family and the couple.

d. Unless money is no object and you can invite the “world”, guests’ lists usually have to be “trimmed” once the first draft is compiled. You will want to consider some categories of guest that could move from invited guests to friends receiving announcements. Maybe the number of business associates can be trimmed, or friends you haven’t seen in a decade or the children of friends. Work together as a couple to create the list you can afford. Do keep in mind that the general rule on events is that one can expect 15-20% of those invited to decline - for one reason or another. Talk over the implications of that with one of our experienced event planners.

e. If you wish to limit the number of children attending, know that if you have invited friends who have children and have not included the children’s name on the invitation that is an indication that you do not wish them to attend. Family members and friends can spread the work that you are unable to accommodate children. It can be touchy for some friends and family so think through the implications before you send the invitations.

f. In addition to the guest list you have developed, invitations should be sent to the groom’s immediate family, the wedding officiant, the wedding party and their spouses or dates even thought they have been “invited” informally.

g. Depending on your politics, you may wish to consider sending an invitation to the President of the United States @ The White House in Washington, DC. You aren’t likely to have the “First Couple” in attendance, but you are likely to receive a greeting from and signed by the President and First Lady. That makes quite a keepsake. Our consultants can help you through the planning and purchase of your full paper trousseau. Stop in and let us show you the wide range of paper and print we have available for you.