How to Decide Who to Invite to Your Wedding

Tips for Building a Guest List That Reflects Your Relationship—and Fits Your Venue

Crafting your wedding guest list is one of the most personal (and sometimes challenging) parts of wedding planning. You want to include everyone who matters, stay on budget, and honor family expectations—while still creating a meaningful, manageable celebration. Read this to learn how to decide who to invite to your wedding!

At Valley Mills Farm, our all-inclusive single-day wedding packages make planning simpler by covering nearly everything: a full catered meal, cake and cupcakes, bartending service, DJ, photo booth, day-of coordination, décor, and full setup and teardown. All you need is your guest list—and we’re here to help you build it.

1. Start With Your Inner Circle

Think about the people who’ve truly shaped your life and relationship. These are your “non-negotiables”—family and friends you can’t imagine getting married without. If your instinct says “absolutely,” that’s your first sign they belong on the list.

2. Consider Your Budget & Inclusions

Every guest adds to the overall cost—from food and drinks to seating and desserts. Fortunately, our single-day package includes a full catered meal, bartending service, and dessert (including your wedding cake and cupcakes). Still, defining a guest count early helps avoid budget surprises.

Pro tip: Set a per-person cost range and use that to guide your total number of invites.

3. Know Your Venue’s Capacity

Venue size can help shape your list naturally. Valley Mills Farm offers both indoor and outdoor space with a maximum comfortable guest count—allowing everyone to enjoy the celebration without feeling crowded. We’ll work with you to determine the right number for your vision.

4. Navigate Family Expectations Early

If your family is contributing financially or emotionally to your big day, they may want input on who gets invited. Have honest, early conversations to understand their priorities—and set boundaries. You might offer each set of parents a limited number of invites to keep things balanced.

5. Be Thoughtful About Plus-Ones

Plus-ones can quickly expand your guest list, so it’s okay to be selective. Consider offering them only to guests who are married, engaged, or in long-term relationships. This approach respects your budget and maintains the intimacy of your day.

6. Use the “Coffee Test”

Not sure about someone? Ask yourself: Would I grab coffee with this person today, just to catch up? If the answer is no, it might be a sign they don’t need to be on your guest list. Focus on people who make your relationship feel celebrated and supported.

---

A Guest List That Feels Right—for You and Your Day

Your wedding guest list should reflect your love story—not just social obligations. With so much included in our Valley Mills Farm wedding package, from professional coordination to entertainment, your day can focus on connection and celebration—not logistics.

Ready to start planning?
We’d love to show you around, discuss your vision, and help you plan a celebration that feels just right—from the first guest to the last dance.

📅 Schedule a Tour Today
📍 Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley

We hope to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country such as:  Lavender Manor, Lady Jean Ranch, Park 31, Countryside Of Iowa, Century Farms Ohio