Who you should invite to your New Zealand Wedding

Your Wedding Guest List

Planning a wedding and deciding on the guest list can be a very daunting task.  

Firstly you as a couple should  decide on the number of total guests you would like at the wedding.  You should each make separate lists of who you would like to be at the wedding.  Compare the two lists.  Do you have too many on one side of the family?  Does your wedding venue allow for a certain number of wedding guests?  Could you invite some to the ceremony only, and not the wedding reception?  Will your guest numbers include children?  A smaller wedding guest list means you won't need to allow as much time for full group photos.

Sometimes your budget may not allow you to invite every friend, partners, workmates,  parents friends and even relatives.  People nowadays know that weddings are expensive.
 
In the meantime, here’s a short list of some of the people you SHOULD invite to your wedding, as they play a very important part of your wedding. 
 
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
The mother of the bride can provide guidance from her experience of being married herself, attending other weddings, or being a bridesmaid.
Extra hands can help ease duties.
You should be specific about what she should and shouldn’t be part of.  
Have your mother go with you to dress fittings.  Get her input on the dress.  Ultimately though your dress should be your decision.
Make sure on your wedding day she isn’t too tied up doing too many duties, that she is absent for those special candid photos. 
 
BRIDESMAIDS
You can have one, three or thirty (or more) bridesmaids, and these people are the individuals that fit the position of being your best friends throughout life. 
 
Your bridesmaids share your ups and downs as you go through different aspects of life, and may also know your future partner. These individuals will also ensure that the bride looks and feels their best during the celebration. They make sure that your dress is sitting perfectly when you’re saying your wedding vows, they hold your flowers for you while your wedding service is taking place.  They make sure you have had enough water to keep hydrated and enough food to sustain you throughout the day.  It is ideal if your wedding venue provide your bridal party with a picnic to take around the venue with you while you are having your bridal photos taken.
 
BEST MAN
Out of all the best friends you may have, you might have that one particular person that you can trust with practically everything.  This individual plays a vital role before and during the celebration. They can support the bride and groom during the preparation stages.  The best man can be an awesome person to act as your ‘time keeper’ for the day to make sure everything is on track for your wedding. 
 
GROOMSMEN
Like the bridesmaids, the groom will have his gang of best mates to share this momentous occasion. These individuals are the men that shared different life experiences with the groom. Furthermore, these people will share the enthusiasm of the groom as the bride walks down the aisle and says her “I do” in front of several witnesses. 
 
RING BEARERS AND FLOWER GIRLS
Traditional wedding practices dictate that children take the mantle of being the ring bearer or flower girl. Make sure that if they are of younger age, perhaps have each bridesmaid walk down the aisle holding their hands.
 
PEOPLE NOT TO INVITE IN THE WEDDING
Now that you know who to put on your list of guests for the wedding, it’s time to check on the individuals that you shouldn’t invite. Some of these people include your:
·       Ex partners
·       Condescending relatives
·       Toxic office work mates
·       Friends and relatives that aren't really in your life
 
Also, consider not inviting any person who you think will disrupt the occasion. 
 
Furthermore, another person that shouldn’t be on your wedding invitation is your ex. Inviting your ex could really create issues.  But it depends on your situation. Perhaps you are good friends with your ex and your partner doesn’t mind.  Or perhaps you co-parent and have children with your ex-partner and wish them to all attend your special wedding day.
 
In summary, don’t forget to invite essential people like the mother of the bride, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ringer bearers, and flower girls to the wedding. But, don’t forget to exclude people who you think will disrupt the occasion in any way. Through photographing a few Auckland Weddings and Rotorua Weddings we have seen what happens when you prepare and plan for your wedding. It makes the actual day a lot less stressful for you both.  Talk to your significant other about your list of wedding guests to ensure that both parties are in agreement with the final wedding guest list.

For more details about Guest Lists check these awesome resources
Wedding Guest List Etiquette
Trimming the Guest List
​Five Essential Tips for Creating a Guest List
Cutting Your Wedding Guest List

Natalie Pasco Photography
East Auckland Wedding Photographer