Say what?! Charging your wedding guests??

I recently read an article of a couple who sent a bill to guests who had RSVPd to their wedding, but were unable to attend. Oh boy! As not only a wedding coordinator, but someone who has been a wedding guest and a member of the bridal party multiple times, I shouldn't have been surprised. I've seen all kinds of brides and couples. But this was something else. I can't imagine what would go through someone's mind as they are sending that bill. Here's the deal, if your budget and financial issues are in such restraint that you feel the need to charge those that don't come, then only invite those nearest and dearest to you to cut down on costs. Many people have a habit of wanting to invite everyone they know. This has the potential of putting a financial strain on your wedding and ultimately on your life.

My first suggestion to all of my brides is to prepare your guest list before doing anything else. Once you set a date, start making your guest list. Your list will change over time. However, creating the guest list will help to maintain costs. Once you start talking to potential vendors, you'll be able to compare and contrast your guest list with the cost of accommodating it. Also, many venues have a food and beverage minimum so if your small guest list won't meet the requirements of your large F&B minimum, you'll know that you need to make some changes to make the costs realistic. A wedding coordinator can help negotiate those costs for you.

The last thing you want is to have any of your friends and family hesitate to RSVP to any of your future events for fear that they may have to cancel last minute and suffer any consequences. No amount of money is worth losing friendships over.

When you're planning you're wedding, you should be taking all of these situations into consideration. Venues and caterers also prepare for these situations and often consider them in your contracts. There is usually a buffer and the final balance won't be due until after the wedding for this very reason. These days, it seems that many people plan on attending, but get so busy that they forget to send back the RSVP. Or, as in this case, send back the RSVP and something comes up last minute where they can't attend. Life happens so plan for the unexpected.

Put simply, the cost of poor planning should not be reflected on your guests.