And Who to Include on Your Guest List

Happy Magazine Monday! UVB’s number one wedding tip for 2026 is to include a dress code! Any dress code can range from cocktail to black tie formal, and everything in between.

Even if your wedding is casual, it’s always helpful to give some guidance for guests. Here are some examples of ways to phrase it on your invites or website to make sure your guests understand the assignment:

“We would be honored to have you in black tie formal attire.”

“Please join us in garden cocktail attire.”

“Dress Code: Beach Formal, black tie optional.”

“Attire: Old Money Glam. Gold and silver are encouraged.”

While your invites and stationery are a great way to introduce your dress code, having a wedding website or a place where you can clarify with more detail will be your best friend. You can be specific about it, with phrases like, “Western Elegance: we ask that men wear dark suits and women wear full-length dresses with western accessories encouraged,” or, “We request that you attend in pink, green, and orange casual attire; tan suits and cocktail dresses encouraged.”

Feel free to include color swatches or references to a mood board! The more detail you share with your guests, the more they’re going to embrace the fun and lean into your wedding dress code.

Making a Guest List: Who to Invite to Your Wedding

Beyond your close family members and bridal party, who else are you going to include on your guest list? It all comes down to how big a wedding you want.

If you’re looking for a small wedding, feel free to stop at family and bridal party. But if you’re looking for 50 to 100 guests, your list will expand significantly. And even more so when you’re expecting upwards of 200 guests or more!

There are two ways to go about making your guest list.

First, make a list of all the people you can’t imagine your day without. After that, ask if there are any other people you feel would be important to invite. Then expand further with anyone you would love to have there, but would be okay if they weren’t able to make it. Count along the way and see what number you come up with, and stop when you feel it is necessary.

Second, start with a number, like 85, and make your list from there. Begin in the same way, with your absolutely must-haves, your important people, and your would-love-to-have-them. When you reach your number, you have your guest list!

Remember, not everyone you invite will always be able to make it, so keep up with those RSVPs to make sure you have an accurate head count before your big day. And most importantly, remember that this is your wedding day, so it’s okay to have as big or as small a guest list as you would like!

Get your copy of the 2026 magazine here