Five questions to help you trim your wedding guest list (and save money)

When my husband and I were planning our wedding we knew we wanted two things from our reception: great food and great wine. The thing is, we didn’t have the budget to wine and dine 100 people so we had to keep our guest list tight. Going with a small guest list at your wedding can definitely ruffle some feathers — your mom might not like it if you don’t invite all your cousins for example. But sticking to a small guest list doesn’t have to be stressful. Instead, each of you should make a list of everyone you want to invite and then cull your list based on these questions:

1. Have they met your fiancé?
This might not be the best question to ask if you’re in a new relationship or you live far away from old friends and family. But if you’re trying to keep your wedding small, a good start is to stick to mutual friends or people both of you have met.

2. How often do you see them?
If you haven’t spoken to them in years or you’re just Facebook friends, then you might want to leave them off your list.

3. What about plus-ones?
If you’re inviting someone who is married, engaged or otherwise in a long-term relationship, you have to invite their significant other. But you don’t have to offer a plus-one option for your single friends.

4. Are kids welcome?
You’re under no obligation to invite people's kids to the wedding. An easy way to make it clear kids aren’t invited is to address invitations clearly to the people you are inviting.

5. Are you inviting coworkers?
You’re not obliged to invite your boss or coworkers to your wedding. In fact, depending on family dynamics, it might be better not to mix work with your personal life (especially since weddings can be emotionally charged). Just make it clear that your wedding is going to be small and limited to family and close friends. If your work friends are actual friends, then feel free to invite them.