Should I Allow Plus-Ones?

Tiffany Holmes Photography

If you’re currently trying to nail down your guest list, chances are you’ve probably had to think about plus-ones. Who gets to bring a plus-one? Who doesn’t? Should I allow plus-ones at all? It can be a tricky area to navigate, but hopefully, we can help you work through your decisions! Keep reading for advice and etiquette on whether you should allow plus-ones at your wedding!

​While many people wish they could let everyone bring a plus-one, sometimes budget and other factors just won’t allow it. When you and your fiancé are working through your guest list and considering plus-ones, you need to keep your budget and venue accommodations in mind. If your venue can only accommodate 200 guests and plus-ones would put you over that guest count, know you can’t let everyone bring someone to your wedding. Also, if you’re wanting to stick to your budget, limiting the number of plus-ones can help keep you in your desired range.

The best way to navigate plus-ones is by creating a rule and sticking with it. This rule can look any different way for you and your fiancé. Maybe that means no one gets to bring anyone. Maybe it’s just the wedding party. Whatever the rule looks like, the key is making sure it works for you and then sticking with it.

So, who should get plus-ones? And who shouldn’t?

Plus-One Etiquette
Wedding Party
Traditionally, the wedding party is allowed to bring a plus-one if they choose to, whether it’s a spouse, long-time partner, or just a good friend. They can always decline the offer if they wish, but it’s common courtesy to allow them to bring someone, especially since they’re standing by your side on the biggest day of your life.

Relationship Status
As a rule of thumb, it’s good etiquette to allow married or engaged couples to bring their significant other with them. It might also be a kind gesture to allow friends and family who are in significant relationships to bring their partner, whether or not they are married. This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but it is a good idea to consider.

Out-of-Town Guests
If some of your guests are traveling a good distance to attend your wedding, it’s common courtesy to allow them to bring someone with them, especially if they won’t know many people at the wedding since they don’t live nearby. It’s also a way to thank them for traveling so far to celebrate with you.

Other Things to Consider
How many single friends are you inviting? If you have 15 or more single friends and who mostly know each other, don’t feel like to need to extend a plus-one invitation.

However, if you are just inviting a couple of single friends, it’s a kind gesture to let them bring someone to your wedding. They’ll feel a lot more comfortable having someone they know with them.

Do your guests know other people at the wedding besides you, your spouse, and maybe your parents? If not, consider extending a plus-one invitation to them so they will have someone else to spend the day with.

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If you’re looking for more plus-one tips and etiquette, check out this article from Vogue to get extra help and advice!

At the end of the day, don’t feel obligated to extend plus-one invites to your guests if you choose not to. Many people will understand when you explain why you can’t let them bring a plus-one, whether it’s for budgetary or other reasons. Our best advice: make a consistent rule that works for you and stick with it!

Nailed down your guest list? Then it’s time to move on to the invitations! Check out our blog on how to choose your wedding invitations.

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