How to Create a Wedding Guest List

Start with households, not isolated names

A household-based list makes invitation wording, party limits and follow-up clearer. Give every household one primary contact while retaining individual names for seating and meal planning.

• Primary contact and preferred phone number
• Named adults, children and permitted companions
• Relationship group and preferred invitation language
• Functions assigned to the household

Use one source of truth

Agree who can add or remove guests and record every decision in the master list. Use separate statuses for proposed, invited, delivered, accepted, declined and pending so a name is never mistaken for a confirmed seat.

Review privacy and necessity

Collect only information required to invite and host the guest. Limit access to organisers who need the list, correct outdated contact details, and avoid copying guest information into unnecessary chat groups.