"It's all about the numbers" they say when planning a wedding.

For once it surprisingly does not refer to just the number of dollars in your bank balance but rather that it is the number of guests in your on beach wedding guest list that can make or break a great wedding reception.

Then again the one does seem to have an effect on the other. After all the more numbers of guests on your beach wedding guest list, the more dollars you will have to allocate to your budget to accommodate each person.

Figuring out whom to invite-and not invite-can be a breeze-that's just what you think, before your parents start going down memory lane, Oh, come on Betsy, what about your uncle George's first cousin, what a lovely family he has, he's so wealthy yet so down to earth, we have to invite him, who knows what wedding gifts they may bring.

You may even have to compromise close friends all for the sake of your mother's want for keeping up with the Jones.

Finalising the guest list is like a battle only worse since you're up against family not and not an enemy, which makes it harder to say no i.e. to defeat them.

Also as tempting as many guest equals many presents may seem, I'm afraid, when it comes to beach wedding guest list you have to be brutal in sticking to your budget.

By being brutal I mean think practically.

HOW TO GET THE RIGHT GUEST: BUDGET RATIO

In a nutshell, it seems that by keeping your guest list to the bare minimum i.e. only immediate family and close freinds can go a long way to saving you allot of stress and dollars.

First of all decide whether this will be an intimate ceremony i.e.

Option. A. only immediate family including parents and siblings and very close friend's only.

or

Option B if it is strictly family then there will be no need for co-workers.

or

Option C is option. A combined with a grand reception for the rest of the extended family,

or

Option D is to go big and invite the entire neighbourhood. But do keep in mind basic arithmetic at all times i.e. inviting the whole neighbourhood of 500 people on a reception budget of $10 000 is an average of $20 a person.

Unless you plan on feeding them popcorn and cola while they watch musical and comic talent in your very own karaoke show, you should definately consider the number of people you put on to that guest list relative to your budget.

To reduce confusion and tension down the road, clarify the extent of your family's involvement in the guest-list process as early as possible.

Usually he bride and groom share 50% of guests, but if your parents were paying for the wedding then they may want the lions share. If this is the case then the list is just divided into thirds instead of two.

Lucky for me I have a fairly small family so it was no crisis; it's just my parent's who couldn't stop adding people to the list.

Depending whose family is bigger you may want to consider varying the percentages again. Whatever percentage you choose, between you, your groom to be and your parents, the key is deciding on a budget first then a total number of guests.

Once you've got the numbers nailed down, you may have to start fine tuning the beach wedding guest list.

You may have to re-consider extend family that is abroad or out of town. Just as I wanted my great aunt Úna from Ireland to be present, and I knew how much it would mean to her to spend the day with me.

But considering that she was 80 years old and would have to sit on a plane for over 7 hours, and spend a small fortune just for one day it just didn't seem practical to me. After all it's not just you who may be on a budget, please do take into account your families circumstances too, before you ask them to fly off to an exotic beach location.

CONSIDER IF YOU WILL ADD KIDS ON THE GUESTLIST

As if reconsidering out of town family wasn't bad enough. Kids are the next cause for concern on a beach wedding guest list
.
Even though you may love kids, do consider the time and location of the ceremony and reception before you invite them to your beach wedding.

If the ceremony is in the daylight then there will be much greater observation for parents to have their watchful eyes on them. But If you have an evening ceremony then the last thing you want is to have to worry about the flower girl who goes missing. As devastating as that could be, it can be avoided by putting some careful thought into your guest list.

You could alternatively set an age limit of 12 years or older. If you sense resentment from family then make sure you outline concerns of their safety as your main reason.

Alternatively if you have a family of several young children like I had at my beach wedding, you may want to assign the task of babysitting to some of the young adults or incorporate a babysitter if the budget has any room for one.

GUEST LIST APPROVED-TIME TO SEND OUT THE INVITATIONS

Once final considerations are made on the guest list you may want to consider sending it to all parties involved i.e. groom and parents for final approval.

Make a good start by getting organised for example type out the list in alphabetical order stating name, contact details and relationship to bride and groom.

This can serve as your gift register on the day of the wedding, this will help you send out appropriate thank you cards.

You could also start up your own beach wedding website so that you and guests can keep track of the progress. It could be good way to get everyone on the list more involved.

Once the guest list is done, you will have wedding invitations to start writing. But why buy readymade stationary when you can get creative.

Why not send them a message in a bottle invitation to your beach wedding. Or for a budget alternative write a hand write massage rolled plain paper into a sea shell or tie with ribbon or palm grass.

The wedding invitation could reflect the chosen theme or colour scheme of your beach wedding or perhaps remain completely neutral for a surprise on the day.

Bye for now

Betsy.

I hope that you have found this hub useful.

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