How do I cut a wedding guest list?
Start with the gap between your current count and target count. Then use consistent tiers, such as recent contact and relationship closeness, instead of making a separate emotional decision for every invitation.
This tool never asks for names and does not predict which individual person should be removed.
Methodology
| Rule | Planning effect |
|---|---|
| Acquaintances | Highest cut priority |
| Coworkers | Next cut priority unless especially close |
| Close friends | Lower cut priority |
| Family | Lowest cut priority in the default framework |
| Not seen within a year | Moves a group one level toward easier trimming |
| Plus-ones included | Review plus-one policy before cutting named guests |
Examples
50 to 40
Remove 10 places, then start with the least-prioritized relationship group instead of cutting randomly.
150 to 120
Remove 30 places using the same tier order across the full list.
250 to 200
Remove 50 places by reviewing acquaintances and lower-priority connections first, then reassess the remaining gap.
Common mistakes
- Cutting people one at a time without a consistent rule.
- Ignoring plus-ones when the budget pressure is headcount-driven.
- Letting two families use completely different criteria without agreeing on the exception.
FAQs
How do I cut my wedding guest list?
Set a target, calculate the gap, and apply consistent relationship and contact rules.
Who should I cut from a wedding guest list first?
Start with lower-priority relationship groups and people you have not seen or interacted with recently, subject to your own values.
Should family get different rules?
Families may need different rules, but agree on them before applying them.
Should I cut plus-ones?
Review the invitation policy carefully; named guests and plus-ones are not the same thing.
How many people should I cut?
Cut the exact gap between current and target count, with a small buffer if practical.