Free tool
Wedding guest list template
Start your list right here — one row per household, with party size, side, and group — then export everything as a CSV for your spreadsheet of choice.
3 guests across 3 entries
| Name / household | Party size | Side | Group | Remove | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Why households, not names?
Invitations go to households, and almost every downstream decision — addresses, save the dates, seating — works at the household level. Tracking party size per household also gives you an honest guest count, which is the number your venue and caterer actually charge on. Once you have a count, sanity-check the cost with our wedding budget calculator and see when list-building fits into the 12-month planning timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a wedding guest list?
List households, not individuals: each row is an invitation. Start with immediate family, then wedding party, extended family, close friends, and finally colleagues and parents' friends. Tag each row with a side and a group so cuts are easier later.
What information should a guest list track?
At minimum: household name, party size, side, group, mailing address, and email. Once invitations go out, add RSVP status, meal choice, and notes (dietary restrictions, kids, plus-ones).
How do I cut a wedding guest list?
Use tiers. Tier 1 is non-negotiable, tier 2 is 'we'd love to have them', tier 3 is 'inviting out of obligation'. Cut whole groups (all coworkers, all parents' friends) rather than individuals within a group — it is fairer and causes less friction.
Ready for RSVPs, not just rows?
Import this exact list into Tesserae and get RSVP tracking, digital invitations, meal choices, and seating — without re-typing a single name.