A destination wedding guest list behaves differently from one at home. Not everyone who'd come to a local wedding can travel, and the people who do come are with you for days, not hours. Here's how to build the list and keep track of it.
Build it in households
Organise the list by household: a couple, a family, a friend on their own. One person can reply for everyone in their household, rooms are booked per household and invitations go to households, so starting this way saves a lot of untangling.
Decide on plus-ones and children early
Make your rules before invitations go out, and apply them evenly. If you're allowing plus-ones for some guests, mark who can bring one, so the reply form only offers it to them. If the wedding is adults only, say so kindly and clearly, and mention whether children are welcome at other events.
Get an early read on numbers
Fewer people can travel than can come to a local wedding, and you won't know who until you ask. A soft RSVP sent with your save the dates asks how likely each household is to come. It's not a commitment, but it gives you a realistic number months before the formal replies.
Keep track as replies come in
Track replies event by event, along with meal choices, dietary needs and arrival dates. Watch for the households you haven't heard from and nudge them before your deadline, and look out for duplicates when the same person ends up on the list twice.
Plan it all in one place
Marrythere connects your wedding website, guest list, RSVPs, events, rooms and guest payments. Setting it up is free.