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.
