Putting together a guest list tends to be one of the more stressful tasks involved with planning a wedding. Often, couples need to be diligent about who is invited in order to avoid going over their budget. Since you are likely working with limited funds, you may struggle with determining which of your guests should receive a plus-one. In order to make your life a bit easier, review these points and learn more about the custom of giving plus-one invites to your guests.
What Is a Plus-One and What Traditions Surround It?
Plus-ones are traditionally given to guests who are not attending your wedding with a spouse or significant other. The extra invite allows these individuals to bring along someone of their choosing, though the additional guest does not necessarily need to be the guest’s romantic partner. There are no hard rules surrounding the tradition of giving out plus-ones. If you have an unlimited budget, you can afford to give every guest this courtesy. Since this is usually not the case, it can be useful to follow a few general guidelines established by modern couples.
Married Couples
Typically, married guests who are asked to attend a wedding are invited as a couple. However, you might not be personally acquainted with the spouses of all your guests. As a rule of thumb, you should always give a plus-one to guests who are married. Some experts advise extending this beyond official marriage, meaning you should provide a plus-one to anyone who is engaged, living together, or in a long-term relationship. Though it is considered the polite thing to do, some couples will forego giving out plus-ones when they must keep to a strict budget.
Dating Exceptions
Though individuals in long-term relationships should be considered for plus-one invites, there are a few exceptions. A couple who has only been casually dating for a few months does not require this courtesy. Some professionals suggest using the “one-year rule.” If the couple has not been officially together for at least a year, you don’t need to consider them for a plus-one.
Wedding Party Members
The members of your wedding party play a vital part in your big day. Since these friends and family members are doing you the honor of being involved in your nuptials, you should always extend the courtesy of a plus-one to them. This is especially true if you are making any serious demands of your party members, such as asking them to spend their own money on expenses like specific outfits and travel. While there are some people you can overlook when giving out plus-ones, your wedding party should not be forgotten.
Colleagues As A Plus-One
Inviting coworkers to a wedding is fairly common. However, it should be noted that you don’t need to follow the same rules with your work associates. Unlike family and close friends, you may not have coworkers in your life for a long while. This means that you should not feel beholden to them, especially when it comes to giving out plus-ones. Naturally, you can make an exception to this in a scenario where you have known the person for a long while and consider the relationship more a friendship than a work connection.
Final Thoughts
Since there are going to be plenty of people who cannot attend your event or cancel at the last minute, you may want to create a reserve list for plus-ones. When a cancellation occurs, reach out to the individuals on your list and let them know that they can bring a plus-one if desired. This is especially helpful if the cancellations happen after you’ve put down your deposits and are locked into a set number of attendees.
Though it can seem awkward, determining who should receive a plus-one for your wedding is important. Work out the details, and you will have a better idea of how to execute this task with success.
Deciding whether to invite coworkers to your wedding can be tricky, so follow these suggestions to make sure you craft an appropriate guest list.
You’re about to tie the knot, and you’re excited about taking such a huge step. You’re awash in planning details or in awe from the fact that your special someone wants to build a life and future with you. Understandably, you may feel like sharing the happy news and details with everyone. However, prudence is essential when it comes to crafting the guest list. Deciding whether to invite coworkers could become a bit tricky. Fortunately, you and your partner can better navigate this challenge by following some wise advice.
Preliminary Steps To Build Your Guest List
Nearly every wedding planning guide suggests setting your guest count as early as possible. Your budget will impact how many you can comfortably afford to host. Also, your guest count will determine the venue size, amount of food and drink, and supplies you’ll need. The Knot offers advice for trimming a bloated guest list:
Don’t include non-relatives to whom you’ve not spoken in three years or more.
Leave out people whose names aren’t familiar to you.
Do not invite anyone out of obligation or guilt.
Wedding Wire Canada’s Alice Prendergast mentions more categories of people whom you can safely leave off your guest list:
People with a tendency to cause drama
Those who can’t curb their alcohol intake
Individuals who only seem to make negative comments
People whom you’ve dated in the past
What Do Etiquette Guidelines Say?
Some modern etiquette guidelines are pretty clear on who should definitely receive invitations. According to Alice Prendergast at Wedding Wire Canada, you must invite people who also attend your showers, pre-wedding bashes, and the engagement party. The only exceptions are destination weddings and showers thrown for you at the office.
Meanwhile, Martha Stewart Weddings provides more etiquette-based wisdom. Citing two etiquette and wedding planning experts, contributor Ellie Finn insists that couples shouldn’t allow a sense of obligation to dictate who makes the guest list. With that said, Finn also mentions three key questions to ask yourself when mulling over whether to include coworkers: Do you often see this individual outside of work? Have you met this person’s significant other or spouse? Would this coworker add happiness to your event that you’d otherwise miss?
Still Can’t Decide About Coworkers? Other Details To Consider
In a 2016 Brides article, Jaimie Mackey mentions that it may be standard practice to invite bosses, CEOs, or presidents in more traditional office environments or conservative-leaning industries such as law or banking. Even in nontraditional workplaces, it may be an unwritten rule to send wedding invites to coworkers. Mackey advises asking employers if there’s an expected custom at your firm.
Next, Mackey suggests that engaged couples consider the size of their workplaces before making a decision. In larger offices, it is easier to invite only a few colleagues who happen to be close friends. The issue becomes trickier in smaller offices, where news of your impending nuptials may quickly spread. If you’re able to tactfully and subtly extend invitations to closest friends, then do so. Otherwise, Mackey recommends either inviting the entire office if there’s enough room to accommodate them or leaving everyone off the guest list.
A Wise Approach Yields Optimal Results
Solving the puzzle of coworkers on your wedding guest list requires a respectful and careful approach. Depending on your relationships with your colleagues and the general workplace environment, determining if or who you should invite from your job can be difficult. Even so, you must consider personal ties, available space, and your own enjoyment before finalizing your count and sending out invitations. With a smart plan and circumspect choices, you’ll find solutions that benefit both you and your guests.
Many couples face the challenge of how to make a wedding seem intimate when the guest list is quite large, but these tips may help ease your mind.
It can be nice to be a part of a big family. Though having a lot of siblings can definitely come with some disadvantages, there is comfort in knowing you always have people around you to provide love and support. Still, there are times when a big family can become problematic. Planning a wedding, for example, tends to be a lot more complicated when you feel obligated to invite a large number of guests. The real challenge most couples face is how to throw a big wedding while still making it seem intimate.
If you and your partner are currently planning a large wedding, you might need a bit of advice on how to keep everything comfortable and intimate for your guests. Consider these tips, and see what you need to do to get the most from your planning experience.
An Intimate Welcome
From the second your guests enter the venue, you want to make sure they feel welcomed into the space. This can be tough with a big crowd, as guests might feel like they’re being herded from the parking lot to the reception area like cattle. To break this feeling, a cocktail hour can help. This hour is perfect for guests to indulge in a drink, some light snacking, and good conversation with others before the main reception area is ready. This small idea can work wonders when it comes to helping cultivate an intimate atmosphere.
How the reception area is arranged can also make or break the idea of intimacy during your event. Instead of opting for individual tables for guests, you may find it is more welcoming to have long, feast-style tables. This allows guests the chance to really get close to one another. Plus, you may even be able to ditch the idea of assigned seating when you go this route, which is another way to keep guests feeling special and welcomed rather than making them feel like just another person at the event.
Don’t Create Barriers, Do Create Space
It can also be a good idea to take a moment or two to think about the décor you plan on featuring at your wedding. Some couples enjoy the idea of large, lavish centerpieces. While it can be nice to add some personality to the space through clever décor, also make sure you aren’t creating any annoying barriers for your guests. The larger the centerpiece is on the table, the harder it is going to be for guests to communicate with, or even see, the other people they are sitting with.
When there are a lot of people at an event, some guests may hold back and keep to themselves. Since many people don’t love having to interact with large crowds, you might want to consider the option of a separate area where guests can go to unwind. A little lounge space, whether inside or outside, might be able to provide your shyer guests with a nice little respite from all of the excitement happening inside. Plus, it gives you and your partner a more intimate place to sneak off to when you need a break yourselves.
Your Interactions Matter
Finally, nothing makes guests feel more welcome at a wedding than having a moment or two with the happy couple. Though there are lots of people you need to interact with, it is good form to make a plan of action to ensure you at least attempt to say hello or check in with all your guests. By focusing on this goal, you’re doing your best to help everyone feel like they’re a part of the event rather than a part of a crowd.
Large groups can easily pose a challenge when planning a wedding. The more time you take to help keep the event intimate, the easier it becomes to help all your guests have an enjoyable experience.
Putting together a guest list tends to be one of the more stressful tasks involved with planning a wedding. Often, couples need to be diligent about who is invited in order to avoid going over their budget. Since you are likely working with limited funds, you may struggle with determining which of your guests should receive a plus-one. In order to make your life a bit easier, review these points and learn more about the custom of giving plus-one invites to your guests.
What Is a Plus-One and What Traditions Surround It?
Plus-ones are traditionally given to guests who are not attending your wedding with a spouse or significant other. The extra invite allows these individuals to bring along someone of their choosing, though the additional guest does not necessarily need to be the guest’s romantic partner. There are no hard rules surrounding the tradition of giving out plus-ones. If you have an unlimited budget, you can afford to give every guest this courtesy. Since this is usually not the case, it can be useful to follow a few general guidelines established by modern couples.
Married Couples
Typically, married guests who are asked to attend a wedding are invited as a couple. However, you might not be personally acquainted with the spouses of all your guests. As a rule of thumb, you should always give a plus-one to guests who are married. Some experts advise extending this beyond official marriage, meaning you should provide a plus-one to anyone who is engaged, living together, or in a long-term relationship. Though it is considered the polite thing to do, some couples will forego giving out plus-ones when they must keep to a strict budget.
Dating Exceptions
Though individuals in long-term relationships should be considered for plus-one invites, there are a few exceptions. A couple who has only been casually dating for a few months does not require this courtesy. Some professionals suggest using the “one-year rule.” If the couple has not been officially together for at least a year, you don’t need to consider them for a plus-one.
Wedding Party Members
The members of your wedding party play a vital part in your big day. Since these friends and family members are doing you the honor of being involved in your nuptials, you should always extend the courtesy of a plus-one to them. This is especially true if you are making any serious demands of your party members, such as asking them to spend their own money on expenses like specific outfits and travel. While there are some people you can overlook when giving out plus-ones, your wedding party should not be forgotten.
Colleagues As A Plus-One
Inviting coworkers to a wedding is fairly common. However, it should be noted that you don’t need to follow the same rules with your work associates. Unlike family and close friends, you may not have coworkers in your life for a long while. This means that you should not feel beholden to them, especially when it comes to giving out plus-ones. Naturally, you can make an exception to this in a scenario where you have known the person for a long while and consider the relationship more a friendship than a work connection.
Final Thoughts
Since there are going to be plenty of people who cannot attend your event or cancel at the last minute, you may want to create a reserve list for plus-ones. When a cancellation occurs, reach out to the individuals on your list and let them know that they can bring a plus-one if desired. This is especially helpful if the cancellations happen after you’ve put down your deposits and are locked into a set number of attendees.
Though it can seem awkward, determining who should receive a plus-one for your wedding is important. Work out the details, and you will have a better idea of how to execute this task with success.
Deciding whether to invite coworkers to your wedding can be tricky, so follow these suggestions to make sure you craft an appropriate guest list.
You’re about to tie the knot, and you’re excited about taking such a huge step. You’re awash in planning details or in awe from the fact that your special someone wants to build a life and future with you. Understandably, you may feel like sharing the happy news and details with everyone. However, prudence is essential when it comes to crafting the guest list. Deciding whether to invite coworkers could become a bit tricky. Fortunately, you and your partner can better navigate this challenge by following some wise advice.
Preliminary Steps To Build Your Guest List
Nearly every wedding planning guide suggests setting your guest count as early as possible. Your budget will impact how many you can comfortably afford to host. Also, your guest count will determine the venue size, amount of food and drink, and supplies you’ll need. The Knot offers advice for trimming a bloated guest list:
Don’t include non-relatives to whom you’ve not spoken in three years or more.
Leave out people whose names aren’t familiar to you.
Do not invite anyone out of obligation or guilt.
Wedding Wire Canada’s Alice Prendergast mentions more categories of people whom you can safely leave off your guest list:
People with a tendency to cause drama
Those who can’t curb their alcohol intake
Individuals who only seem to make negative comments
People whom you’ve dated in the past
What Do Etiquette Guidelines Say?
Some modern etiquette guidelines are pretty clear on who should definitely receive invitations. According to Alice Prendergast at Wedding Wire Canada, you must invite people who also attend your showers, pre-wedding bashes, and the engagement party. The only exceptions are destination weddings and showers thrown for you at the office.
Meanwhile, Martha Stewart Weddings provides more etiquette-based wisdom. Citing two etiquette and wedding planning experts, contributor Ellie Finn insists that couples shouldn’t allow a sense of obligation to dictate who makes the guest list. With that said, Finn also mentions three key questions to ask yourself when mulling over whether to include coworkers: Do you often see this individual outside of work? Have you met this person’s significant other or spouse? Would this coworker add happiness to your event that you’d otherwise miss?
Still Can’t Decide About Coworkers? Other Details To Consider
In a 2016 Brides article, Jaimie Mackey mentions that it may be standard practice to invite bosses, CEOs, or presidents in more traditional office environments or conservative-leaning industries such as law or banking. Even in nontraditional workplaces, it may be an unwritten rule to send wedding invites to coworkers. Mackey advises asking employers if there’s an expected custom at your firm.
Next, Mackey suggests that engaged couples consider the size of their workplaces before making a decision. In larger offices, it is easier to invite only a few colleagues who happen to be close friends. The issue becomes trickier in smaller offices, where news of your impending nuptials may quickly spread. If you’re able to tactfully and subtly extend invitations to closest friends, then do so. Otherwise, Mackey recommends either inviting the entire office if there’s enough room to accommodate them or leaving everyone off the guest list.
A Wise Approach Yields Optimal Results
Solving the puzzle of coworkers on your wedding guest list requires a respectful and careful approach. Depending on your relationships with your colleagues and the general workplace environment, determining if or who you should invite from your job can be difficult. Even so, you must consider personal ties, available space, and your own enjoyment before finalizing your count and sending out invitations. With a smart plan and circumspect choices, you’ll find solutions that benefit both you and your guests.
Many couples face the challenge of how to make a wedding seem intimate when the guest list is quite large, but these tips may help ease your mind.
It can be nice to be a part of a big family. Though having a lot of siblings can definitely come with some disadvantages, there is comfort in knowing you always have people around you to provide love and support. Still, there are times when a big family can become problematic. Planning a wedding, for example, tends to be a lot more complicated when you feel obligated to invite a large number of guests. The real challenge most couples face is how to throw a big wedding while still making it seem intimate.
If you and your partner are currently planning a large wedding, you might need a bit of advice on how to keep everything comfortable and intimate for your guests. Consider these tips, and see what you need to do to get the most from your planning experience.
An Intimate Welcome
From the second your guests enter the venue, you want to make sure they feel welcomed into the space. This can be tough with a big crowd, as guests might feel like they’re being herded from the parking lot to the reception area like cattle. To break this feeling, a cocktail hour can help. This hour is perfect for guests to indulge in a drink, some light snacking, and good conversation with others before the main reception area is ready. This small idea can work wonders when it comes to helping cultivate an intimate atmosphere.
How the reception area is arranged can also make or break the idea of intimacy during your event. Instead of opting for individual tables for guests, you may find it is more welcoming to have long, feast-style tables. This allows guests the chance to really get close to one another. Plus, you may even be able to ditch the idea of assigned seating when you go this route, which is another way to keep guests feeling special and welcomed rather than making them feel like just another person at the event.
Don’t Create Barriers, Do Create Space
It can also be a good idea to take a moment or two to think about the décor you plan on featuring at your wedding. Some couples enjoy the idea of large, lavish centerpieces. While it can be nice to add some personality to the space through clever décor, also make sure you aren’t creating any annoying barriers for your guests. The larger the centerpiece is on the table, the harder it is going to be for guests to communicate with, or even see, the other people they are sitting with.
When there are a lot of people at an event, some guests may hold back and keep to themselves. Since many people don’t love having to interact with large crowds, you might want to consider the option of a separate area where guests can go to unwind. A little lounge space, whether inside or outside, might be able to provide your shyer guests with a nice little respite from all of the excitement happening inside. Plus, it gives you and your partner a more intimate place to sneak off to when you need a break yourselves.
Your Interactions Matter
Finally, nothing makes guests feel more welcome at a wedding than having a moment or two with the happy couple. Though there are lots of people you need to interact with, it is good form to make a plan of action to ensure you at least attempt to say hello or check in with all your guests. By focusing on this goal, you’re doing your best to help everyone feel like they’re a part of the event rather than a part of a crowd.
Large groups can easily pose a challenge when planning a wedding. The more time you take to help keep the event intimate, the easier it becomes to help all your guests have an enjoyable experience.
