How do I determine who gets a “plus one” on their wedding invitation?
It’s so exciting to think about who you’ll celebrate your marriage with while creating that esteemed wedding guest list, right? Lots of guests makes for a fun and lively event. However, as guest count increases, you’re bound to encounter a max capacity at your venue or budget constraints (more guests = higher expenses). Not to mention, you may face your own personal feelings on who you do and do NOT want celebrating your wedding day. This leads to the question:
Do all guests get to bring a plus one?
It’s a tricky subject…
We want guests to have a great time and to bring someone who can help enjoy the celebration. That being said, this “plus one” (that you may not even know well) will cost you hundreds of dollars by the time you factor in food, alcohol, favors, decor, rentals, etc.
Our hot take: Consider surrounding yourself with the people you know and love on your wedding day.
So, here’s our guide for the delicate subject of wedding invite plus ones!
Who gets an added guest? Here are some suggestions:
Married Guests: This one is pretty straight forward. You give married guests a plus one as respectful recognition of their marital status.
Engaged or Living Together: A couple that is engaged or living together represents “serious and committed to each other.” Therefore, their partner deserves a plus one for your wedding.
Seriously Dating: What’s the benchmark for seriously dating? A guest in a serious relationship of six months or more (even if they are not engaged or living together) should be considered for a plus one. This is situational and ultimately up to you, but it’s worth noting that if they do not receive a plus one, they might be a bit offended.
Doesn’t Know Anyone Attending: If a guest doesn’t know anyone attending the wedding, it would be a nice gesture to give them a plus one. As a courtesy, this will ensure their comfort throughout the evening and increase the likelihood of this person attending.
Who does not need a plus one? Here are some suggestions:
Casually Dating: Anyone who is casually dating does not need a plus one. An invite to a wedding is an honor, and someone who might not be in the picture long-term does not need to be in your wedding pictures.
Single and Knows People: If a guest is single but knows people attending the wedding, they will be fine without a plus one. Since they have other guests to socialize with, they will still have a great time without bringing a plus one.
Coworkers: This one is tricky and not cut and dry. According to traditional etiquette standards, it’s not necessary to offer a plus one to coworkers, especially if you don’t know their partner or if they are attending as part of a workgroup. For example, if you work on a sales team of 15 (or are in med school with a large group of fellows) and you don’t have the capacity to include all of their spouses, it’s acceptable to invite your colleagues but not significant others.
There are always subjective circumstances, and ultimately it’s your decision on who gets a wedding invitation plus one. Creating your guest list and issuing plus ones feels like a balancing act. It’s important to make sure your guests feel welcome and included, but it’s also important to follow proper etiquette and guidelines. The guidelines above are our suggestions, but regardless, do what makes you most comfortable on your day!
If you’re interested in working with a professional planner who will handle all of these details and provide additional etiquette guidance from start to finish for you, reach out to us today and set up a complimentary consultation!
