FOR THE ORGANISERS

Who to invite?

This is definitely something you need to find out in advance from the Bride or Groom-to-be. It is unlikely that you will know all of their friends and family, and even if you do there are almost always ones who they would prefer not to attend. Who goes will also very much depend on the other factors highlighted below, so before jumping ahead, find out who they must absolutely have attend. This way, if Grandma or Grandpa simply must be there, then Quad Biking in the Lake District on the date of their Golden Wedding Anniversary may not be the best choice!

Remember that you will need to contact all of the people due to attend well in advance with as much information as possible to allow them to ensure they are free on the day(s) to attend and have sufficient cash put aside to be able to afford it. It may be wise to prioritise the list of attendees and rope one of the other Bridesmaids or an Usher in to co-ordinating the invites if there are a lot of people to contact. Alternatively, group the invitees into sensible groups (friends from school, friends from work, family etc.) and use a lead contact from each one to head the ‘recruiting’. E-mail and texting are quick options for multi-person communication, but remember to follow each one up with a phone call - especially to those non-respondents.

Where to go?

These days, there are very few restrictions on location. Activities and entertainment options are abundant all across the country. With the cost of flights, ferry crossings, train journeys and bus fares tumbling in recent years (especially if you book well in advance) you are no longer tied down to a ten mile radius from the Stag or Hen's house. Unless the Bride or Groom has anywhere they really don’t want to go (or are petrified of flying) then it is pretty much down to you to determine the end location. It is wise to consider the attendees again at this point, although don’t lose focus that it is the Bride or Groom’s celebration, not theirs. For ideas on where to have the fun and frolics, take a look at the Location, Location, Location article for more help.