Excerpt from Article:
Work on your guest list
Before deciding on a venue or vendors, you must have an anticipated headcount. It doesn’t need to be precise, but a ballpark estimate will help you make the best decisions for your wedding. So before signing any dotted lines, prioritize your guest list and consider who you want with you on your big day.
Jeri Solomon, co-author of Guide to Smart Wedding Planning, recommends “building two guest lists. The first list is the Wish List. That’s everyone you (and your parents if they are part of the process) want to have. The second list is the Non-Negotiable List. This one is for everyone you must have, either because it is a requirement or they are part of your inner circle and you can’t imagine a wedding without them there. Having those two lists will then inform your budget and venue choices.”
Though it’s not as glamorous, determining your guest list will allow you to choose vendors that can best bring your vision to life.