Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Planning a wedding is a massive endeavor that will test your character, your budgeting skills, your judgment, your taste, and your patience.

Kylie Padilla and Aljur Abrenica

One of biggest challenges on your nuptials is choosing your guests, considering the budget, venue, food and many other factors.

For couple Ycoy Sitchon and Jeff Sitchon of La Belle Fete Weddings & Events, they approach every event as a challenge so the newlyweds can focus more on celebrating their union and less on the stress of planning a wedding.

In an e-mail interview with GMANetwork.com, they share the lowdown in creating a wedding guest list, starting off with these factors as the most common considerations.

Budget

Budget has always been the biggest consideration not just in weddings, but in any event.

Ycoy and Jeff recommend to “create a budget planner to ensure that you will allocate the budget properly. If food is your main priority, then it is understood that you have to shell out more for the food per person.”

Venue

Before choosing a venue, it would help if couples would “create a draft guest list or at least an estimated number of guests,” as venue capacity is a factor in determining how many guests you can invite.

Design

The design, layout, and setup should also be factored in when choosing the venue. This would give you an idea how many guests you can invite and the kind of decor and setup you can have, as every element would take up space.

“If you want long tables, then it will consume more space than the round ones. If you want more elements such as big stage, big dance floor, a tunnel or arch, or a unique layout, these should be factored in as well," Ycoy and Jeff say.

Family/ Parents

If your parents are contributing to your budget, they might have a say in your guest list, but be mindful not to cause emotional issues with them.

“You have to set boundaries and stick to them. You have to align expectations as early as possible. You don't want your wedding to be filled with people you do not personally know," they note.

View this post on Instagram

Today, we remember one of the most beautiful weddings we have ever curated. And there's no better way to reminisce it but with some snippets of the TEAM at work - the amazing people who held hands together to make this fete one for the books. From all of us, happy anniversary @billycrawford and @coleen. We love you! . . . Event Planner - @labellefete Event Stylist - @gideonhermosa 
Lights, Flooring, Sounds - @lxeventspro
Cake - @chef_castillo_fuentes
Photo - @mymetrophoto 
Video - @bobnicolas
Gown - @galialahav Headpieces - @trinitybridal 
Bridal Robe - @laterceraonline
Secondary sponsors tailor - @bessiebesana
Female Entourage Gowns - @joesanantonio
Entourage - @rauatelierweddings
Bridesmen & bearers - @paulolazaro.studio
Best Man - @jeandco
Wedding Cord - @weddingcords
Groom's Suit - @edwintan_ph
Stylist - @adrianneconcept
Hair and Make up (Bride) - @pongniu Groom's Grooming - @aimeegrey
Hair and Make up (Entourage)
- @gerypenaso & @jajapangilinan
Invite Layout/Signages/Menu Cards - @papillonph
Invite Printing - @printandcompany Welcome Kit Printing - @printdivas
Music (Ceremony) - @manilastringmachine
Music (Reception) - @thor_mightythor & 
Extra Rice Band
Music (Welcome Dinner & After Party) - @toonscan
Emcee - @kcmontero
Souvenirs - @myowncanvasbag
@arteegram_manila
@knotvillefavors
@insta_mug
@rawbitesbox
@sipsteelstraws
@bcfragranceph
@noveltiemnl
@highcalibertrading
@figuresofbeans
@pspersonalizedsweets Photoman - @dharwin_tanned Digital Juice - @nicolasphotovideo
@kat_ren Chandeliers - @bellabanquets Props and candelabra- @cl_decor Chairs and cutleries - @shoprentgala #coleengotthebill

A post shared by La Belle Fête Weddings&Events (@labellefete) on Apr 20, 2019 at 3:34am PDT

To be more accurate on who to invite to your wedding, Ycoy and Jeff also recommend to create three guest lists:

1. Dream List

The Dream List contains your “wish list" that include all the people you want to invite.

2. Reality A-List

The Reality A-List consists of the priority guests, including family and closest friends, who will receive the first round of invitations.

3. Reality B-List

On the other hand, the Reality B-List "is made up of guests you still really want to be there, but second priority. If you start getting RSVPs and it turns out you have enough "regrets” from A-List, then you'll start sending invites to your B-list (in order of importance). However, timing is key. It is a bit off-putting for guests to find out that they are just second priority.”

View this post on Instagram

The “Sunshine” of his life. The pitch is to create a dreamy, elegant wedding for @bmalexcastro and @sunshine_garcia. Inspired by her name, we concocted a theme related to radiance without being too literal. After meticulously piecing things together to create a solid vision, our Creative team came up with “Reflections” as our core concept. Using mirrors, lights and illusions merged with a palette of gold, millenial pink and black, the desired opulence emerged. And with a stellar team, the wedding is truly the epitome of a dream fulfilled. #AngSunshineniAlex . . . . Full planning, concept and coordination by @labellefete • Photo by @mymetrophoto @dmetroman @erronocampo • Styling and execution by @badangrueda • Lights, trussing, tech and audio by @ignite.pro • Mirror structures by @4thwall_proddesign • Staging & dancefloor by @lxeventspro • Bridal gown by @patriciasantosatelier • Suit by @edwintan_ph • Make up by @gerypenaso • Hosted by @migzwithaz • Cake by @bethanydreamcakes • Video by @niceprintphoto • Candelabra by @cl_decor • Stage decors by @formm_rentals • Ghost tiffany chairs by @cillaandco • VIP chairs by @shoprentgala • Mirror tables by @bellabanquets • Carpet by @glamlaneevents • Groom @ Bride's Shoes by @jeffersonsi_designs • Music by @manilaphilharmonic • Souvenirs by @thoughtfulsupplyco @arteegram_manila @beautedermcorporation • Printables by @papillonph • Digital juice by @amourparfaitstudio • Bridal robe by @larosanovia • Cord by @diorcrystals • Photobooth by @photoboothbydjcoki • Nails by @mimsqiu . . #labellefete #wedding #weddings #weddingsph #weddingtheme #weddingdetails #weddingplanner #weddingconceptor #event #eventplanner #eventconceptor #philippineweddings #weareeventplanners #weareweddingplanners #leaveittothepro #destinationwedding

A post shared by La Belle Fête Weddings&Events (@labellefete) on Mar 2, 2019 at 7:58pm PST

Once you have decided on your guest list, “Nine to twelve months before the wedding, you can start sending Save the Date cards or e-invites.

"This is so people can put the wedding date on their calendars early. On the same token, this is one way of eliminating those who will decline right away," Ycoy and Jeff explain.

If you still need help in trimming your guest list, here is a guide:

1. As much as possible, don't invite people you haven't met personally. “If parents are very much involved in the planning or if they are paying and contributing financially,” then they might want certain friends to attend your wedding. “It's a good idea to get the families together and talk about the guest list to align expectations," the couple suggest.

2. “Rule of thumb, if you haven't seen or talked to them in two years, do not invite them. Real friends who put time and effort to connect with you are the ones deserving to witness the most memorable day of your lives.”

3. "If you are not keen on having kids on your wedding especially babies and toddlers, do not feel guilty to have an ADULTS ONLY affair. You can clearly indicate it on the invitation. Your wedding, your rules," Ycoy and Jeff emphasize.

4. “If you have second thoughts about inviting them, then do not invite them. Do not make guilt a deciding factor.”

5. “Stick to the rules." If there are no plus ones, it applies to everybody. “If you say yes to one, you have to say yes to all and it will be too late for you to realize that your guest list has already blown up.”

6. Wedding planners often come with RSVP service. It is advisable to avail of this service in spite of the additional expense. Spend money to save money and avoid uninvited guests that can cause unnecessary stress on your wedding day.