Before you begin looking for venues, you and your partner need to determine how many people to invite to your wedding. Your guest list will be an unofficial guide for every decision you make after deciding on the number, from entertainment to food choices. Numbers can quickly skyrocket if you and your partner aren’t on the same page, meaning your budget will also grow.
According to The Knot’s Real Weddings survey, nearly 50% of couples reduced their guest count in 2021, making the overall average for the year 105 guests. And RSVPify reports that 83% of people invited to weddings reply yes, while 17% decline. As you plan your guest list, you can keep these statistics in mind.
Here are some tips on how to plan your wedding guest list:
- Decide what kind of affair you want to host. Do you want your wedding to be a lavish party, small and intimate, or somewhere in between? Knowing the type of event you want your wedding to be will help you start creating your guest list.
- Determine your budget. What amount can you comfortably spend on the wedding? How much help are you getting from other parties? These factors will come into play when looking at venues and seeing the cost per plate.
- Figure out who must be invited. Have an honest conversation with your partner about who you both want attending your nuptials. Immediate family and your closest friends may make the “must invite” list. But how do you both feel about extended family, coworkers, and kids?
- Think about the past and the future. Have you and your partner both met and spent time with the people on your guest list? If only one of you knows them, you might be able to leave them off the list. You can also ask yourself if this person will still be in your life down the road.
There is no magic number for how many people you should invite to your wedding. It all comes down to how big or small you want your special day to be and what you can afford.
After you have a solid guest list and a venue booked, you can start thinking about the entertainment you will hire for your wedding.
Hiring Wedding Entertainment Based on How Many People are Invited
For weddings with under 50 people:
Bring in a single musician or DJ. From an acoustic guitar player to a violinist or harpist, single musicians can help amplify the feeling of romance at your micro wedding. Since it’s only a single performer, you’re not taking up a lot of space, and you’re saving more money than you would be hiring an entire ensemble. You can also have a wedding DJ in this instance, as they’ll be able to play to your crowd and set up shop in smaller venues.
For weddings with 50-100 people:
Hire a boutique micro wedding band instead of a complete ensemble. If you’re having a small wedding, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice live entertainment. EBE now offers Boutique Micro Bands with expandable sizes, 2-9 pieces, and it won’t expand your budget! Whether you’re looking for a four to nine-piece band with a violin, saxophone, and integrated DJ or a six to nine-piece band with a violin and saxophone, we have several options available when it comes to micro bands.
Consider a duo or trio. Another cost-effective way of entertaining guests at your wedding is to hire a duo or trio to play live music. Depending on your musical preferences, you can choose anything from a vocal jazz trio to a guitar and vocal duo, string duo, or piano, flute and violin. In some cases, you can also use the same duo or trio you hire for your reception to play the music at your ceremony.
For weddings with over 150 people:
Go with a full band. When you have a lot of people at your wedding, you want to ensure they’re having a good time. There’s no better way to do that than with the best wedding bands in Philadelphia. EBE has over 15 bands ready to start your party and keep your guests on the dance floor all night long. Each band has its own sound, so you’ll be able to choose the right one for you and your partner.
Opt for a DJ. Hiring a DJ for your Philadelphia wedding is a great way to pump up the party since they can play any song you and your guests desire. When your reception has over 150 people, there are many different musical tastes to satisfy. DJs can easily accommodate all of your and your guest’s music requests. Additionally, most wedding DJs can bring elements like lighting, customized dance floors, and props that can help make the night more special and fun.
Hiring the right entertainment sets the tone for your evening and can make the night much more memorable. With full bands, boutique micro bands, DJs, and solo artists available to perform, all you have to do is choose the option that matches the size of your guest list.
When you are ready to make decisions about the entertainment that will perform at your wedding, EBE is here to help. Learn more about our upcoming showcases.
Want to learn more about our EBE Team Members? Vendors We Love? New Products?
