Planning who to invite to your wedding, wedding rehearsal, and bachelor/bachelorette party can be challenging. You must ensure you have the budget and space to accommodate your guests and address any unique family dynamics. Plus, with fewer events and significant restrictions in the last few years due to the pandemic, it can be challenging to know what’s “right” when it comes to your wedding guest list.
Whether you’re planning a large or small wedding, it’s important to have the venue to host and enjoy each other’s company. At Tahoe Wedding Sites, we’re here to help you determine who to invite to your wedding festivities and find the perfect wedding venue to host your guests!
How Many People Should I Invite to My Wedding?
How many people you invite to your wedding depends on your budget and venue. The more people you invite to your wedding, the higher the cost. For many couples, it’s about finding a balance between the two. Whether you want the biggest wedding party of the year or are opting for a small and intimate wedding event, choosing what is best for you and your partner is always the number one priority.
We recommend you create a list of everyone you’d want to attend if budget and space were non-issues. Then, organize your guests into categories such as close family members, close friends, extended family, colleagues, acquaintances, etc. Then, you can use those categories to start narrowing down the list as needed.
If you’re planning a Lake Tahoe wedding, Tahoe Wedding Site venues can host intimate weddings with under 100 guests or celebrations with up to 600.
- This venue boasts gorgeous waterfront and mountain views and can accommodate 30-150 wedding guests.
- This picturesque Tahoe wedding venue has scenic beachfront and garden venues that can host up to 200 guests.
- This wedding location has modern ballrooms, lakeside beaches, and a garden atrium that can host 50-200 guests.
- Rustic charm and towering pines surround this venue, which can accommodate up to 130 guests.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Lake Tahoe
- These rockstar wedding venues can host 15 to hundreds of guests.
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe
- This serene yet stunning beachfront venue can host 35-180 guests.
- Lakeview reception spaces and ballrooms can host almost any size wedding.
Remember that not every person you invite will make it to your wedding. Instead, choose a Lake Tahoe wedding venue with flexible space and seating options that would be a good fit for your big day.
Should I Allow Plus-Ones?
Again, consider your budget and venue when deciding whether to allow plus-ones at your wedding or to which guests to extend the option.
Traditionally, those that are married, engaged, or in a serious relationship are allowed to bring their significant other. However, if budget and space allow, you may also want to extend a plus-one wedding invitation to your single friends. Weddings are more fun for those invited if they can bring a plus-one and have someone to accompany them while celebrating your special day.
That said, if you plan to keep your wedding more intimate and space and budget are limited, a plus-one invite may not be the best option. If you would have to cut another friend or family member from your guest list to accommodate someone’s plus-one, keep them off of your list. Your wedding event is about you and your significant other. If you want to keep your special day more intimate, or you can’t accommodate everyone, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Your loved ones will likely understand.
Should I Allow Kids at My Wedding?
Some couples have important young family members or friends they want to see at their wedding, and others feel that adults need a break from children and don’t want to add to their wedding budget. This can be a highly debated topic, and there is truly no right or wrong answer.
Whether you want to have children at your wedding or not is up to you and your partner. Just make sure you communicate your preferences early on so that guests can plan accordingly.
Consider some kid-friendly options if you’re allowing kids at your wedding. Have simple food they can order or grab from the buffet, have the DJ play appropriate music, and consider coloring books or other activities to keep youngsters entertained throughout the wedding ceremony and reception. By paying special attention to creating a kid-friendly environment from the start, you can minimize disruptions and meltdowns and ensure guests of all ages have a fun time at the wedding.
As a plus, many of the Tahoe wedding venues also have lodging options, making it easy for parents to get their kids to nap/sleep, for breastfeeding moms to care for their children, or to step away for diaper changes without having to head home or to another location. Parents can then come back to enjoy the wedding reception with you and your partner.
Who Should I Invite to My Wedding Rehearsal?
The wedding rehearsal is the preparation for your wedding day. This is where you and your wedding party will practice walking down the aisle, what will be said during the ceremony, and how to exit once you say your vows.
Your wedding party should be invited to your wedding rehearsal — including bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, ushers, officiants, musicians/accompanists, and your wedding planner (if you have one). If you want to plan some specific photographs for the big day or capture moments from your rehearsal dinner, consider inviting your wedding photographer as well.
It’s also customary to invite immediate family to the wedding rehearsal. This is a special time for you and your loved ones to celebrate the love that you and your partner have. Whoever you want to see before your big day, invite them to your rehearsal dinner post-practice to enjoy each other’s company in anticipation of your wedding day.
Who Should be at My Bachelor/Bachelorette Party?
Your bachelor party or bachelorette party should include your groomsmen, bridesmaids, close friends, and family. The activities you choose may also impact who you invite.
Inviting your mom/dad or grandma/grandpa might not be fun if you opt for a wild night out. A more relaxed wine tasting or cozy game night might be a better fit for this group.
Traveling for a destination bachelor/bachelorette party might also decrease the size of your guest list. If most of your wedding party doesn’t have the budget to travel far, consider opting for fun activities near you, like concerts, festivals, karaoke night, or camping.
No matter what, choose people you’re excited to spend time with and that will have a great time celebrating you!
Post-Covid Restrictions for Gatherings
In 2023, many Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, and the focus is again on spending time with loved ones. It’s important that you’re still taking precautions and making sure that everyone at your wedding, wedding rehearsal, and bachelor/bachelorette party is comfortable in the environment.
At your wedding events, you could include hand sanitizer stations, proper spacing for distancing, and masks to ensure everyone feels that their concerns are addressed. In your invites, you could also remind guests to stay home if they feel sick.
Outdoor venues are helpful in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Almost all Tahoe Wedding Site venues offer outdoor venue options for you and your guests. If you’re hosting an indoor wedding, increasing the airflow will help with the filtration of the venue. Moving your wedding events outdoors is the best option if you or your guests are concerned about health and safety.
Find Your Perfect Tahoe Event Venue
Once you determine who you want to be at your wedding event, you can choose your venue. Our seven wedding venues allow you to choose beachfront, rustic, or mountainous Lake Tahoe views that will awe you and your guests.
Plus, each venue has wedding professionals and vendors that will keep your event running smoothly so you can enjoy the love surrounding you. Book your Tahoe wedding, wedding rehearsal, or bachelor/bachelorette party today!
