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Recently Engaged? The Do's and Don'ts of Your Next Steps

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:43:51 GMT

Now that you're engaged, the time has come to start planning. Even though you may have months, or years, until the big day, the sooner you start the better. If you're not sure what the first steps are, and what can wait until later, take a look at the do's and don'ts of wedding planning immediately after your engagement.

Do Secure a Venue

Most wedding venues book well advance. This means you need to secure your dream event space or banquet facility as soon as you choose a date. If you don't already have a place in mind:

Visit several venues . An in-person visit allows you to make comparisons. While you might not get the chance to see each venue in its full wedding glory, you can get an idea of what to expect. You can also talk to the facility staff about what they offer.
Make comparisons . After you visit a few different venues, you need to make comparisons. If you can’t choose a clear winner, create a pros and cons list for each wedding space. Reach out to each venue's staff with any additional questions before you make a final decision.
Consider location . Is the reception venue near the ceremony's location? Along with the ceremony-to-reception factor, proximity to your home or to the guests' hotel are also issues to think about.

If you don't already have a budget and size idea in mind, now is the time to make some decisions. A venue that puts you well above your expected budget or won't hold the entire wedding party won't work for you. Read on for more information on budgets and size considerations.

Don't Skip the Budgeting Step

Are you tempted to ignore finances in favor of the wedding of your dreams? Couples with financial limitations can still plan a fairytale day. There are weddings that fit every type of budget. The key to financial planning is to set realistic spending caps.

Wh en planning you budget:

Consider future financial goals . If you plan to buy a house after you get married, want to start a family soon, or have other financial goals to meet in the near future, you may need to adjust your wedding budget.
Consider size . A larger wedding typically requires a larger budget. If you want to invite hundreds of guests, you may need to figure out what you can skip and save on. This may mean choosing a lower-priced venue or saving on a dress.
Consider other help . Will your parents or your soon-to-be spouse's parents help with the finances? If someone else will help you financially, you can set a higher budget.

With a budget in hand and a venue set, you can move on to the next steps. Before you get carried away immediately after the engagement, stick to the basics—such as announcing your engagement.

Do Announce the Event

You're overjoyed about your upcoming nuptials. Now that you're officially engaged, you can announce the wedding to the world—or at least to your close friends and family. When you announce the engagement:

Decide who you need to share the news with . Will your parents feel left out if you announce the engagement to your friends first? If you plan to tell individual people, consider who needs to hear the news first.
Create a save the date . If you secure a venue before you share the news, make save the dates to give your wedding guests plenty of planning time.
Throw a party . If you have the budget for an additional party, plan an engagement celebration. This is an easy, and festive, way to announce your news.

After you budget, visit venues, and make your announcement, you can get specific and turn to the other details. The next steps will include dress shopping, choosing a wedding party, planning seating charts, creating your reception menu, and more.

Do you need a venue for your wedding? Contact Chez Shari for more information.

4 Reasons to Hold a Company Golf Tournament

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 12:47:08 GMT

You have many choices today when it comes to promoting your company's interests. One of the easiest and most enjoyable is to host a golf tournament. How can a golf tournament help your business with its strategic and financial goals? Read on to find out.

1. Get Everyone Together

Many business owners and managers struggle to find team building exercises that foster team spirit in a fun and memorable way. The good news is that you don't have to force employees to participate in sack races or wrack their brains in an escape room just to spend some quality time together. Golfing as a group outside on a beautiful day relaxes everyone and gets them beyond the confines of the office environment.

Depending on your company's needs, you could pair up member of departments together to promote internal harmony. Or you may want to mix things up by encouraging departments to play with those outside their normal circle of coworkers.

2. Increase Awareness in the Community

A high profile event like a gold tournament brings many opportunities to get your brand out there. From the advertising flyers to the goodie bags to the decor at lunch, you have the chance to really make yourself memorable even to those who don't actually attend.

As you plan the day, think about where in the community or industry you'd like to improve brand awareness. Do you want to build a vendor pool? Do you need to attract more clients? If so, what demographics and interests? Are you a new company that needs to widen its profile among locals? Whatever your particular branding needs, target groups and locations that will maximize your return on investment.

3. Networking Opportunities

There's a reason that networking on a golf course has become a famous idea in American business circles: it works. Golfers spend plenty of time strolling and waiting together, during which they can get to know each other and even broach new ideas.

A golf tournament hosted by your company is the perfect chance to meet with specific individuals because you can choose everything from the guest list to the teams. Look for ways to include potential investors, vendors you've been wanting to do business with, high value customers (both new and existing), and even new talent that you might want to become employees.

4. Help a Good Cause

Most golf tournaments are held as a fund-raiser for charitable causes. Charity efforts help employees feel that they work for a good company who cares about more than the profit margin. It boosts morale and does something positive for the community in which you do business.

When planning your golf day, look for charitable causes that reflect the values of your company. A law office, for instance, might opt to support causes that help underprivileged groups or provide free legal services for those who can't afford aid. A company whose focus is younger demographics may choose, instead, conservation or environmental causes that are important to its clientele base.

You aren't limited to certain charities, though. You might offer to raise funds for individual causes based on teams' preferences. Or your tournament might even raise money for an individual or family with specific, daunting needs.

Which of these compelling reasons to host a golf tournament would do the most good for your by the company and some volunteer time from stakeholders. To learn more, visit the beautiful facilities at Chez Shari , located on the Manteca Golf Course. You're sure to find everything you need to plan a great day for all.

How to Include Your Child in Your Wedding

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 12:50:38 GMT

Marriage joins more than just you and your spouse-to-be. The bond creates a new family and your kids deserve a special place in the ceremony and reception. If you have children, take a look at the top tips for including them in this memory-making event.

Include Your Child from the Start

While the adults need to make the major decisions, your children should feel like they have a stake in the wedding planning. The degree to which your child helps depends on their age. But in general, children can help to:

Choose the venue . Again, this major choice is up to you and your fiancé. But you can bring your child with you to possible venues. Ask them for their opinion or have them help to make a list of the pros and cons of each possibility.
Choose a theme/colors . If you plan to have a specific theme or wedding colors, ask for your child's input (within reason). While a Disney theme or dayglo orange and pink may not find a place in the actual wedding, your child should like they can contribute ideas.
Choose the menu . Are your children the only younger guests at the wedding? If not, ask them to help you plan a children's menu.
Choose the activities . Will you have special children's activities during the reception? Your kids can help to plan these or offer family-friendly ideas.

Now that your child has a hand in the planning process, the time has come to move on to the wedding itself. Read on for more information on ways to include your child in the events leading up to your nuptials and the big day.

Have a Family Pre-Wedding Party

You’ll likely host plenty of events leading up to your wedding. You have an engagement party, shower, and bachelor/bachelorette bash. Even though your child may come to some of these pre-wedding parties, none of the events were specially for your children.

Add one more party to the celebration—just for your kids. If you're not sure what to plan, consider:

A family shower . Instead of a girls-only shower, add everyone to the mix. You can choose this option in addition to your traditional shower too. But don't ask guests to bring gifts to both.
A pre-wedding picnic . Have a backyard bash. This is an inexpensive, and easy, way to include everyone in the family.
A kids-only party . Throw a new family party with a complete kid focus. Invite your child's friends, children in the family (such as cousins), or other children who will also attend the wedding.

Discuss your party plans with your child. They may have ideas you haven't thought of or have a specific guest list in mind.

Select a Strategy for the Wedding

After the parties are over. The time has come time to plan your child's role in the wedding. How will you include your child in the ceremony or the reception? Popular ideas include:

Child-sized vows. Along with the vows you make to each other, your new spouse can also make vows/promises to your child.
Special exchange. You get a ring. But what does your child get? Choose a special token of your family's love to give your child during the ceremony or at the reception.
Add to the cake. The traditional bride and groom cake toppers don't have to apply here.
Add your children to mix and include them in the cake décor.
Parent-child dance. After the first couple's dance, have a special dance for you, your child, and your new spouse.

Continue to include your child in the wedding activities after the reception ends with a family-moon vacation. This can follow a traditional honeymoon or take the place of it.

Do you need a wedding venue? Contact Chez Shari Wedding & Conference Center for more information.

Wedding Venues and Wedding Reception Venues in Tracy, CA

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 13:09:05 GMT

Your wedding day should be one that you never forget, which means the venue needs to be welcoming and beautiful for your wedding. At Chez Shari, we provide one of the best wedding and wedding reception venues in the area. If you’re getting married in Tracy, CA, reserve your special day at Chez Shari.

Chez Shari is a conference center and banquet hall in Manteca, CA. We have hosted weddings and other events for more than 20 years and have been in other businesses in Manteca for over 50 years. Our customer service and attention to detail helps us plan and deliver on unforgettable weddings and receptions. Located by the stunning Manteca Park Golf Course, we offer venues that are perfect for any wedding.

Have Your Wedding at Chez Shari

Chez Shari offers three venue options to accommodate any wedding size or style. Choose from these options:

Main hall. This larger space opens up to a covered veranda overlooking the golf course and can accommodate up to 185 guests.

Godfather room. This smaller space is ideal for more intimate gatherings and accommodates 52 guests.

Whole place. You can reserve the entire facility for your exclusive use so you can accommodate as many guests as you need.

Our clubhouse overlooks the beautiful, meticulously kept landscape of the golf course, a perfect venue for wedding and bridal photos. Take advantage of our facility for your wedding. You can learn more on our rental rates page .

Call us at 209-825-8524 or fill out an estimate form to reserve our wedding venues for your Tracy, CA, wedding today.

Wedding Ceremony Venues for Lathrop, CA

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 13:06:14 GMT

If you're in Lathrop, CA, and you need an event venue, consider Chez Shari in nearby Manteca. Our lovely banquet hall and conference center offers space for events like weddings, golf tournaments, and business conferences, and we'd be proud to host your event.

Pristine Scenery and Helpful Staff

Take a look at Chez Shari when you're choosing wedding ceremony venues or conference venues in the Lathrop area. We're close by, and you and your guests will love our immaculate, lush setting. To get an idea of what our venue looks like, check out our gallery page .

Our staff is experienced, professional, and courteous. We know just how to turn your wishes into reality for your event. To learn more about how we can help, take a look at our menu page , and for more information about what we do, get in touch with our staff.

Honest and Courteous Service

Interested in Chez Shari for your wedding or event? Learn more about us and our excellent services so you can make an informed decision. Get started by requesting a free estimate for your event, and feel free to contact our staff for more information. Call us at 209-825-8524 today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Wedding Reception Venues Near River Islands, CA

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 12:57:57 GMT

Your choice of wedding venue is not as important as your choice in partner, but we’d say the place you marry is pretty high on the list. If you want a setting that is classic but modern, large but intimate, and pristine but lush, look no further. The wedding venue at Chez Shari offers these advantages and more.

Although our wedding venue is located in Manteca, we host weddings for couples from all over the surrounding area. If you live near River Islands, CA, and have upcoming nuptials, give us a call. We would love to discuss our wedding reception venue with you.

Learn About Chez Shari

We have served the community for more than 50 years, including hosting weddings for 20. In that time, we have seen countless couples say their vows in our banquet hall. Whether your theme is trendy, rustic, elegant, or whimsical, you’ll find that we adapt our venue to your vision.

If you want the very best of wedding venues in the River Islands, CA, area, don't delay in calling us. Our spots for the year are filling up fast! When you call, a member of our team will be happy to answer any of your questions. We can tell you more about our stunning setting, convenient wedding packages, and catering menu.

When deciding on wedding reception venues in the River Islands, CA, area, choose Chez Shari. Reach our wedding venue by dialing 209-825-8524 . While we talk, be sure to ask about our conference center. This is the perfect spot for corporate events.

Choose One of the Best Wedding Venues Near Weston Ranch, CA

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 12:56:50 GMT

Now that you’re engaged, you may find yourself spending more and more time picturing your dream wedding. If you envision a romantic, elegant, and unforgettable day, the banquet hall at Chez Shari Wedding & Conference Center is a perfect choice.

When you think of wedding venues in the Weston Ranch, CA, area, you probably want one that has a gorgeous setting for a picture-perfect day. Our wedding venue is next to a lush and well-manicured golf course. As you might imagine, this stunning backdrop makes for a beautiful experience.

Take a Look at Our Stunning Venue

Hop on over to our photo gallery to get a look at some of our past events. When you look around at wedding reception venues in the Weston Ranch, CA, area, you’ll see that our wedding venue has space for the ceremony, reception, and photographs. We can accommodate whatever you want for your special day.

You may also be happy to learn that we will provide you with seating and an arch for a nominal fee. If you would like our team to cover every detail, simply ask about our wedding packages. We can reserve your big day as early as a year and a half in advance. Keep in mind that on our veranda you can seat a party of 140.

Call for More Information

Are you looking for wedding venues near Weston Ranch, CA? Give us a call at 209-825-8524 . Our team is located in Manteca and will happily provide you with information.

Event and Wedding Venues for Mountain House, CA

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 12:54:57 GMT

Are you checking out wedding venues? Get married in the heart of Manteca. Chez Shari Wedding & Conference Center is Manteca's premier wedding reception and conference location, and we're proud to serve customers from nearby Mountain House, CA. Let us help you create the perfect event at our venue.

Trust Our Experience

We offer catering services for many events including weddings, golf tournaments, and business meetings. Host your event at the Manteca Park Golf Course Clubhouse. You're sure to love the gorgeous, lush scenery.

Our experienced team is family-owned and -operated. We have served the Manteca, CA, community for over 40 years. We want your event to be enjoyable for both you and your guests, and we know exactly how to run your event smoothly and make it memorable.

Enjoy Our Services

Contact us to book your next event. We are more than happy to help you during every step of your planning process, and our experience will

make everything easier for you. Call us at (209) 825-8524 if you have any questions, or visit our FAQ pag e for more information about our venue. We'll be happy to provide more information and help you get started. Get in touch today!

Full-Service Business Banquet Venue for Stockton, CA

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 12:53:13 GMT

Do you want a beautiful and cost-effective place to host your next business banquet? Chez Shari is a full-service business banquet venue, complete with conference rooms and catering . Discover what Chez Shari can do for your next business conference or banquet in the Stockton, CA , area.

Enjoy All Our Venue Has to Offer

Whether you want to host an all-day conference that ends with dinner or just host a banquet itself, you can find all you need at Chez Shari. At our expansive main hall or our exclusive Godfather Room, you and your employees can enjoy our lush landscaping, expansive space, delicious fare, and high-speed internet.

Depend on Our Experienced Services

From start to finish, we provide the support and assistance you need for a top-quality event. From catering choices to presentation set-up, we'll advise and assist you to make your event perfect.

Use Our Venue for Other Events Too

Our venue is also ideal for weddings and golf tournaments too. Whatever you want to enjoy our venue for the ideal backdrop, the cost-effective rates, or the extensive space, you can find it all here at Chez Shari.

5 Tips to Keep Kids Happy in Your Wedding Party

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 13:10:54 GMT

There's nothing cuter than your niece walking down the aisle as your flower girl, unless it's your four-year-old doing his duty as a ringbearer. But while involving kids in your wedding is a lovely and inclusive idea, in practice, things can easily get out of hand with an ill-timed tantrum or stain on your littlest sister's pricey dress.

If you're worried about how to handle the kids in your wedding party, keep reading. We have tips on how to keep the youngest members of your wedding party occupied, entertained, and happy on your special day.

1. Hire Professionals

Weddings aren't cheap, and you may consider cutting corners on things like childcare that don't seem as necessary as the cake or dresses. After all, you can always ask a relative to mind the kids, right? You definitely can ask a relative to take on childcare, but if you want everyone to enjoy the wedding, it's much more courteous to simply pay for professional help.

Plus, having a professional on hand makes it much easier to keep track of the kids; rather than worry about the kids escaping across the golf course or getting lost in the crowd, find a trustworthy professional (including the kids' regular babysitters, if they're up for it) you can count on to make sure the kids stay safe and happy throughout the proceedings.

2. Create a Kid Zone

Adults and kids alike will have more fun if each group has a space to themselves. That way, the adults can get drinks, dance, and mingle after the ceremony while the kids avoid boredom, whining, and meltdowns with games and crafts.

Talk to your venue about creating a space for the kids in your party. If you plan an outdoor event, consider setting up a smaller tent off to the side of your main reception area where kids can color, blow bubbles, and play duck duck goose without running under anyone's feet.

Plus, if you book a professional babysitter, you don't have to worry much about the kids escaping their corral. Even better, instead of relegating alternating members of the wedding party to kid duty, you can each settle for peeking over at the kids' tent to make sure everyone's having a good time.

3. Plan Around Naptimes

Nothing is more terrifying than a nap-deprived toddler - unless it's a nap-deprived toddler at a black-tie, all-day event like a wedding. As tempting as it might be, don't try to rearrange the youngest kids' nap schedule to suit your special day. Instead, call on your professional babysitting help to make sure the kids have a safe place to nap and a person to put them down.

4. Have Kid-Friendly Food

Chances are the youngest kids in the wedding party won't love the fancy meal you have catered. In the kid zone or napping room, make sure to have a good stock of food to keep kids happy.

Think outside the sugar box: you don't want kids hopped up on sugar gate-crashing the rest of the wedding, though a few small, stain-free treats like marshmallows might be a good idea. Peanut butter sandwiches, crackers, apples, and oranges are all good foods to keep kids from a hunger related meltdown.

5. Work With Your Venue

Your venue has had ample time to get used to all sorts of wedding parties, including wedding parties with kids. As you plan your wedding, talk to your venue about how they've handled kids in the past, where kids can play safely, and even what kinds of measures they've seen other couples tackle in the past.

Looking for an elegant space for your special day? Chez Shari is here for you. Get in touch today to book your ceremony.

Pick the Right Time of Day to Hold Your Wedding

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 13:12:37 GMT

As you plan your wedding, you will face many choices with an almost unlimited array of answers. One of the first choices any engaged couple should make is to decide what time of day to hold their wedding. This decision will then inform many of the following decisions, including the venue, the budget, the day-of activities, and the guest list.

While most people automatically assume that a wedding should be held in the early evening, there are actually situations in which a different time works even better. To help you pick the perfect wedding day timeline, here are four choices you have and what each choice is best for.

1. Morning Wedding

Morning weddings are less common than they used to be, so they're great for couples who want to do something that feels unique and special. A morning ceremony is typically held around ten o’clock with a brunch reception afterward. Because of the unusual time, you may be able to score better deals on the venue, catering, and certain vendors. This could really help couples who are marrying on a budget.

Morning weddings don't leave much time before the ceremony, so you should choose this time if you want a casual or small affair. Keep in mind that you won't have a lot of prep time for the bride, bridesmaids, or close family members. On the upside, though, if you're nervous about being in the spotlight, you get it out of the way early so you can enjoy the day.

2. Afternoon Wedding

Afternoon weddings occur any time between about one and four o’clock in the afternoon. This is a standard wedding schedule, so everyone will understand how it works. This time may also make coordinating a big wedding easier because you have plenty of time both before and after the ceremony to do everything on your list.

An afternoon wedding is an excellent choice for those who plan to have kids involved in the wedding since the party generally ends earlier and kids haven't spent a long day awake before they participate in the festivities. It's also good for those who have a beautiful outdoor venue, since you have more daylight to work with — including for outdoor photos.

3. Evening Wedding

Evening weddings are also very common. They're great for couples who want to party into the night with their friends and family or those who want to get married on a weekday. Evening weddings usually begin with a ceremony in the early evening and are followed by a large meal and plenty of dancing.

Because this time line gives you the most time before the ceremony, it's best for brides or couples who want to get a lot pre-ceremony activities in. If you want to spend a lot of time getting ready, want to do a full photo shoot before the ceremony, or have a lot of decoration to do in one day, this is the time line for you. Evenings are also perfect if you want to take photos before the ceremony.

4. All-Day Wedding

Can't decide on a time? Want to include everything and everyone? Then opt for an all-day wedding schedule instead. All-day weddings generally include a daytime ceremony but have parties planned until the wee hours of the morning.

The intervening time could include a long cocktail hour and a big reception party, or it could have unscheduled time for guests to entertain themselves. You might even plan earlier activities for guests — like a wedding day brunch or a group outing.

All-day affairs are more expensive and more expansive than other weddings with a limited time frame. But if you have a lot of guests coming from other locations, this allows you to spend more time with them.

Which wedding day schedule is right for you? The answer depends on your goals, your personality, your budget, and how much you have going on during the big day. At Chez Shari , we can help you decide among all your wedding day options to find the perfect match. Call today to visit our beautiful venue.

Wedding Reception Themed Decor Ideas

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:14:39 GMT

When planning a wedding reception, you most likely have a long to-do list, topped with creating a guest list, choosing and securing a venue and creating a menu. After nailing down the big issues, you can then move on to more creative considerations, such as a decor theme.

No matter what type of venue you're hosting your reception in, such as a banquet hall or conference center, the right decor will give the space a personalized touch. Decorations, lighting elements, and furniture rentals will all work together to transform a plain space into the venue of your dreams.

If you can't decide on what reception theme you'd like to go with, try taking the venue location into consideration. If the banquet hall is on a lakefront, you can give the celebration a rustic nature theme. For a beachfront venue, consider a vibrant tropical-inspired look. Another way you can choose a reception theme is according to you and your fiancé’s interests and passions, such as a specific season, destination or hobby.

Once you've picked a theme, choose coordinating pieces to create a cohesive look throughout the venue. Here are some wedding reception theme ideas to get you started.

1. Winter Wonderland

If you love the cold, snowy time of year, enhance your reception venue with an enchanting winter wonderland theme. A winter-inspired theme is ideal for weddings taking place during the holiday season, but it can also help guests mentally cool down a hot summer celebration as well.

When decorating with the wintery theme, start with an icy white, silver, and blue color scheme. Cover tables with elegant silvery white cloths, and enhance guests' place settings with dark blue cloth napkins wrapped with silver rings. Elevate the look of basic chairs with silver seat cushions or bows wrapped around the backs.

For table centerpieces, cover bare branches, which you can buy at craft supply stores, with silver spray paint and insert them into white vases. Next, hang small icicle-shaped crystal ornaments from the branches, which will catch the lights.

Create the feeling of a romantic winter night by wrapping strings of white LED lights around pillars and beams. You can also hang sparkling crystal chandeliers above the guest tables as an elegant touch.

2. Tropical Theme

For couples who love island vacations and warm destinations, a tropical wedding reception theme may be ideal. Start by choosing vibrant colors, such as coral orange, banana yellow, lime green, and turquoise, and then pick decor items and other elements to reflect them.

When it comes to table decor, start with breezy white linens for a casually elegant look, and add color with brightly hued cloth napkins and candles. For table centerpieces that smell as good as they look, fill crystal vases with bouquets of tropical flowers, including birds-of-paradise, hibiscus, orchids, and plenty of greenery.

As another idea, you can hollow out pineapples and use them to hold the floral arrangements instead. Rent portable tiki bars from event rental companies, and treat guests to tropical cocktails throughout the evening. Again, you can give the space a romantic ambiance with strings of white lights, or opt for beach-inspired rattan-covered lanterns instead.

3. Vineyard Theme

If you're passionate about good wine and visiting wineries but can't afford a destination wedding, enhance the venue with a charming vineyard theme. Begin with elegant white table linens and dark purple cloth napkins wrapped with grapevine-inspired rings.

Decorate tables with wine bottles filled with flowers or even sparkling white LED lights. As a customized touch, have labels featuring the wedding details, such as the couple's names and nuptial date, and put them on the bottles.

Wrap faux grapevines around pillars and beams, and decorate guest place settings with small bouquets of purple flowers, such as lilacs and hydrangeas.

Contact Chez Shari today to view our venue and see how our banquet hall can be the ideal backdrop for any theme you have in mind.

5 Guilt-Free Methods to Slim Down Your Wedding Guest List

Sun, 12 May 2019 13:16:12 GMT

Weddings are an expensive business. And one of the quickest ways they can get out of control financially is with a large guest list. It's only normal to want to share your love story and your big day with everyone you know, but providing a party for all of them comes at a cost.

If you're a bride or groom on a budget, how can you slim down that wedding guest list without feeling badly? Use these five easy and guilt-free methods.

1. Make a Tiered List

Don't simply write down a single list of everyone you, your fiancé, and your family want to invite. Instead, make that list into three tiers. Tier 1 is people you absolutely must have at the wedding: family, best friends, and bridal party. Tier 2 is people you'd like to have but who you can live without. Tier 3 is people you're inviting out of duty: college buddies, people who invited you to their wedding, or parents' friends.

By dividing the original list into categories, you've done half the work before you even need to trim down the list. Send out the Tier 1 invitations before the other tiers so you can cut other people without awkwardness.

2. Say No to Kids

It's okay to ask people to find a babysitter for your big day. Not only does a no-child wedding save money for you, but it can also make your wedding more enjoyable for most people. A no-kid rule at the wedding may be awkward if you have a lot of kids in your bridal party, so you may want to set the example by having few or no children in the ceremony.

3. Skip the Plus 1

The common way to invite unmarried persons to a wedding is to specify that they may bring a date. Save space and money by not inviting random dates you don't know. If a person is in a committed and long-term relationship, tell them they may bring that significant other. If they're not, ask them to enjoy the wedding with other guests rather than a date.

You can make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, of course. If you invite a guest who will know no one else at the reception, you could make an exception for them if they want to bring a friend.

4. Use the First-Name-Last-Name Rule

When choosing whom to invite, start by inviting only people the bride and groom actually know well enough to call them by their first and last names. This first-name-last-name method can have exceptions, but it weeds out people you went to college with but have forgotten the names of, wedding dates you don't know, and very casual friends.

This method can be challenging when you're sharing expenses with parents who want to invite their friends. In that case, negotiate a certain amount of exceptions to this rule per person.

5. Use Time as a Guide

Make a rule that you don’t invite anyone you haven't seen or spoken to in one year. If you aren't keeping up a real friendship with the person in daily life, is it really important that you pay for a chicken dinner for them? This guideline would easily rule out distant relatives, past friends, school relationships, and family acquaintances.

Whatever method you think will work for you, having guidelines to keep your wedding guest list from exploding is one key to staying within your budget. At Chez Shari , we offer beautiful ceremony and reception spaces for couples on a budget. Visit our location today to see how we can help you decide on the perfect-size guest list.

The Top Wedding Guest List Questions Answered

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 13:18:05 GMT

The guest list can make or break your wedding. Making smart choices allows you to keep the peace, honor friends and family, and stay within your budget. How can you whittle down everyone you've ever met to a select few? Take a look at the top wedding guest list questions answered.

Who Should Make the Guest List?

This depends on your beliefs, your family's needs, and who pays for the wedding. In most cases, the couple getting married has control over the final draft. But this doesn't mean other people (outside of the couple) can't have a say in it.

If your parents, or your fiancé's parents, are paying for the wedding, they may have a few requests. If their requests become problematic, negotiate how many (and who) you feel comfortable with them adding.

Who Are Must-Have's on a Guest List?

Gone are the days of guest list rules that couples must follow. Whether you're not sure if you need to invite your fiancé's estranged father or your cousin's kids, consider these guidelines:

Importance to you . Who do you want at your wedding? If the person holds special importance in your life, invite them.
Importance to your fiancé . Who is important to your fiancé? Even though you might not know the guest, if your fiancé feels a person is significant, invite them.
Importance to your life . If not inviting a specific guest will in some way detract or damage your everyday life, consider inviting them. This may include work friends, managers, or your boss.

Deciding who the must-have's are for you and your soon-to-be spouse is a first step in setting boundaries that will eventually translate into a manageable (and budget-friendly) guest list.

Should Children Come to the Wedding?

Like many other aspects of your guest list, this is a personal preference issue. Before deciding one way or the other, consider:

Is the wedding child-friendly? A late-night reception, a lengthy ceremony, or a menu of fancy foods that young children will not eat may preclude kids from your list.

Are the children meaningful to you or your fiancé? There's a significant difference between invited your siblings' children and your former college roommate's (who you haven't seen in a decade) kids. If the child or children hold special meaning in your life, invite them too.

Do you want children there? This is your wedding. If you prefer an adult-oriented affair, it's acceptable to nix kids from the guest list.

It's also acceptable to only invite children over a specific age, limiting your guest list to older kids, tweens, and teens—but excluding babies, toddlers, and young children.

What Other Considerations Should Couples Make?

While creating a guest list that fills your wedding with beloved friends and family is a top priority, this is an often-complicated process that involves multiple details. Considerations to make before finalizing your list include:

Your budget . The amount you plan to spend on catering and other similar per-guest costs directly affects your guest list. Do the math before making any decisions.
Your venue . Indoor venues have a maximum capacity. Ask the venue staff what this number is before adding anyone to the list.
The number who will RSVP . It's not likely that every guest who's invited will come to the wedding. Consider who will realistically RSVP when setting your list number.
The type of wedding . Is your wedding an intimate affair or a big bash? Put number limits on your guest list that match the overall type or style of wedding you want.

Along with these considerations, you'll also need to decide whether you're inviting plus one's or not. Again, set limits for this category too. Decide whether everyone gets a plus one or only spouses or significant others make the guest list.

Do you need the perfect venue for your dream day? Contact Chez Shari for more information.