Guest lists will have to be smaller for the foreseeable future amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as weddings are allowed to continue again, we predict there will be a strict limit on how many people may gather.

As a result, couples will have to be extra cautious when determining who will attend their wedding. Beyond this, your guest list size is also a key issue because it will largely affect the total cost of your wedding.

Here are some tips for creating a list and sticking to it.

Decide who plans the list:

In most cases, you, your fiance, and both of your families will each have their own idea about who should be invited.  While everyone can share how they feel, it’s key to discuss beforehand who has the final say on the list.

To get off on the right foot, have everyone involved submit a list of the people they’d like to attend. They should rank the names in order of importance, starting at the top. Then you and your fiance can compare the lists and cross off any duplications. Add up the numbers that are left to determine how close you are to your estimated count and figure out how many more people you may need to eliminate (or, if you’re lucky, who you can add). Then, have each of the parties involved cut an assigned number of names, starting from the bottom of his or her personal list. This way, both families are treated fairly, while you manage to keep control over the size of the guest list.

Make an A and B List:

While it may sound harsh, there are some guests that are more important than others. Having your parents and best friends present is probably more meaningful than your cousin twice removed. A good idea is to create separate lists: your A and B list.

In list A, include all the essential people you want at your wedding, like your close family and best friends. Anyone you deem non-essential but would be nice to have around should go in your B list. This will include colleagues, distant relatives and neighbours.

Determine budget and venue:

Before going crazy with your list, it’s helpful to know what you can afford and what your budget allows. There is no point in having a long list if your venue can only accommodate 100 people. When venue shopping, keep in mind whether you want a small. medium-sized or large wedding.

Similarly, you need to know that you have the budget to back this up. If you want a big wedding, you need to have the funds or a plan to be able to finance a wedding of this scale before inviting people. You don’t want to have to un-invite people later, or scrimp on other aspects of your big day.

Adults only:

An easy way to limit a guest-list is to go child-free. While it’s cute to have nieces and nephews in your wedding, some decide that no other children who are not in the wedding party may be invited. This also helps to cut down on costs of an on-site babysitter for super small kids, and needing entertainment to prevent tiny tots from boredom.

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The couple’s first dance at a wedding is one of the most memorable moments. All eyes are firmly glued to the newlyweds as they hold each other in a tight embrace and glide across the dance floor. It is a highly anticipated moment at any wedding.

Since it’s such a popular part of the celebration, couples often spend days or even weeks fussing over the perfect song to dance to. Even celebrities ensure that they’ve got the perfect tune to sway to.

Another consideration, of course, is the style of dance. There are so many options it could make your head spin (and that’s before you start practicing). Here are some of the top styles, to help you make your decision:

The Waltz 

Nothing really compares to the classics, and that goes for dance styles too. The Waltz has always been a popular option. There are a few different forms of this style, including American, International, French, and Viennese.

There are some steps you’ll have to learn, of course. A few moves are what make the dance a Waltz. These include box steps and turning patterns.

The Salsa 

Although it is fast-paced and a bit complicated, if you’re willing to learn, the Salsa will definitely add some flavour to your wedding celebration. Its a sensual dance, perfect for newlyweds. You may, however, have to account for a costume change, to allow for extra freedom of movement, if you decided on this style.

The Sway 

This one is for the couples who’d prefer to not spend too much time getting to know the steps of a dance. It’s extremely simple, and even those who claim to have two left feet can easily get the hang of it.

The Swing

For couples who are comfortable with more complex dance moves, and are looking for something more upbeat, the swing is a great option. It fits in with a vintage style, if that’s what you’re going for with your theme, but may require you to ensure that your outfits are more comfortable than the average wedding attire, as jumps, lifts, and kicks are common in this dance style. Of course, you don’t have to add all the theatrics, you could just stick to the basics.

The Foxtrot 

The playful couple would most likely opt for the foxtrot. It’s a medium tempo, and takes a bit of practice, but will be well worth it.

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Wedding cakes are a key tradition in most cultures and they can easily rack up quite a heavy cost. This doesn’t have to be the case if you’re clear about what you want and follow these simple tips to help you save on this part of your big day.

Consider a display cake 

A big expense when it comes to cake is getting the amount you need out of a beautifully designed, intricate cake. If you want a cake that can feed all your guests, rather have a smaller, beautiful display cake for cutting and have a simple sheet cake in the kitchen which can be cut up and brought out.

Keep it simple 

This might be the most obvious suggestion, but the more complicated the cake the more expensive it is likely to be. Choosing a cake that will take less time to make means you will be charged less by your baker. Consider what you want in terms of colour, icing and tiers and then make this combination as simple as possible.

Reconsider flowers

Sugar flowers should definitely be reconsidered and replaced by fresh flowers or painted flowers on the cake itself. Sugar flowers are intricate and require a lot of work which adds to the cost.

Consider the cake a party favour 

Instead of having the cake and party favours combine these two parts of the event. Cut the cake right at the end, before everyone begins to leave and offer them slices in takeaway boxes as they go.

Serve smaller slices 

Let’s be honest, most people don’t even eat their entire piece of wedding cake. So save by having a smaller cake with smaller slices. If you’re worried this won’t be enough for guests, combine the smaller piece of cake with cheaper confectionaries like strawberries or chocolates.

User your caterer

Often couples choose a separate baker for their cake but this can add to the cost. If you find out if your caterer would be willing to do the cake as well you can often negotiate a better price.

Consider something other than cake

Cake is the traditional option, but why not offer guests a something different which can also save you some money. Offering cupcakes or cake pops are great alternatives and are likely to be eaten because of their smaller size.

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