Each guest is one more seat, one more menu, one more drink, one more invitation. No decision changes the day as much, and that is why it is worth thinking about it first.
Illustrative figures, to give a sense of scale; the real budget depends on the format of your event.
The circles method
Start with the closest circle, family and lifelong friends, and only then move outwards. When the budget is full, stop at the circle you are in. Simple and fair.
The last-year rule
If you have not spoken to someone in the last year, they probably do not need to be at the table. A good filter for invitations made out of obligation.
Children and plus-ones
Decide early on your policy for children and plus-ones, and apply it to everyone. It is the number one source of misunderstandings on the list.
Allow for no-shows
Between 10% and 15% of guests usually do not come. Allow for it on the list, but confirm the final numbers before closing tables and menus.
“The right question is not ‘how many fit?’ but ‘who do we really want to be with on this day?'”
