7 ways to reduce the stress of creating guest list

culled from:pulse.ng

One of the aspects of wedding planning that brides-to-be find quite stressful is creating a good guest list.

There's always the danger of leaving out someone who might be offended about not receiving an invitation, or inviting that one person who has all it takes to turn the big day upside down.

If you're already planning your wedding and you're wondering how to do it stress-free, check out these tips below:

1. Categorize your list: This will make it easier for you to decide who stays on the list and who goes. Divide your list into 'maybes' and 'must-haves,' or group people by social circle. You may opt to keep all your childhood friends but eliminate your co-workers.
2. Be diplomatic: Don't be afraid to let people know that you have a limited guest list. Most people understand weddings are really expensive. As long as the bride and groom are honest and upfront from the beginning, it makes it easier. Also, try to keep pre-wedding chatter to a minimum in front of those you know you can't invite.
3. Are children to be invited? It is entirely up to you to decide whether you want children at your wedding or not. You could limit invitations to the children of immediate family members or choose to invite only children ages 10 and up. Some brides arrange for a babysitter to entertain the kids in an adjacent room while the parents enjoy the celebration.
4. Don't feel obliged to pay back debts: Just because your parents were invited to a distant cousin's wedding doesn't mean you have to reciprocate. Explain to your parents that you have a limited guest list and that you would like to keep your wedding to a more intimate affair with only close family and friends. If your parents are contributing to the wedding you might want to allow them to invite a certain number of guests.
5. Consider your budget: Your budget will play a huge role in how many guests you can invite. Start drafting your list in the early stages of planning. This is a great way to establish the kind of wedding you want. Everything is based on the number of people you want.
6. Send out invites promptly: The earlier you send your invitations, the quicker you'll know who won't make it. By creating a wait-list, you can include people you couldn't initially invite. The key is to send out the first batch early with an early RSVP date.
7. Address invitations specifically: Did you invite two people but receive an RSVP for four? By specifically stating whom an invitation is for, you'll avoid any confusion. If people ignore this, it's okay to phone them and kindly explain your preference.