Hi babes! Alexandra and Chrissy here—and we’re back for another Martini Monday chat, where we spill the tea (or espresso) and give our unfiltered take on all things wedding planning, while sipping something fabulous. If you caught our first chat, you know we started with the #1 thing to do after getting engaged: know your budget.
So now that you’ve figured out how much you’re spending and who’s footing the bill, it’s time to talk about the guest list—aka the second step that can bring out all the opinions.
Let’s Break It Down:
1. Start with an A-B-C List.
Make a list of everyone you have to invite (A), would like to invite (B), and could invite if you have space (C). This helps with tough cuts later if your venue or budget can’t handle 300 of your closest friends.
2. Consider Who’s Paying.
If your parents or in-laws are contributing financially, chances are they’ll want a say in who’s invited. Decide early:
- How many people are they allowed to invite?
- Are they splitting the cost evenly?
- Or is someone footing the bill completely (and therefore calling more of the shots)?
3. Talk +1s.
Engaged? Living together? Married? These are safer bets. That said, if you’re tight on space or budget, don’t feel guilty about limiting plus-ones to long-term or committed relationships.
4. The “Haven’t Seen Them In Years” Rule.
Chrissy’s rule of thumb: if you haven’t seen someone in two years, it’s OK to let them go. Life moves fast, and weddings are not high school reunions.
5. Don’t Invite Out of Obligation.
This is a hard one. You feel like you should invite your college roommate or your second cousin because they invited you to their wedding 10 years ago. But if you’re cutting people you genuinely want there just to include those you feel “meh” about, you’ll regret it. Trust us—those people usually don’t show up anyway.
6. Your Wedding, Your People.
At the end of the day, your guest list should reflect your circle—your community, your family, your people. Weddings are about love, not politics.
While We’re Talking Tough Topics…
We’re sipping on one of our all-time faves—espresso martinis! They’re classy, they’re buzzy, and they keep you awake long enough to keep dancing. Alexandra made these with Licor 43 instead of the traditional coffee liqueur like Kahlúa—and OMG. Game changer.
Here’s the recipe we’re obsessed with:
Espresso Martini with Licor 43
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz Licor 43
- 1 oz freshly brewed espresso (cooled) or iced espresso of your choice
- Optional: 0.25 oz simple syrup (if you like it sweeter)
- Shake it all up with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass, and top with a few espresso beans for that extra fancy moment.
And if you want a tequila twist… enter the Carajillo.
Carajillo (Mexican Espresso Martini)
- 1.5 oz Licor 43
- 1.5 oz tequila (we love a good reposado)
- 1 oz fresh espresso
- Shake it hard with ice and strain into a glass over a large cube (or serve straight up, your call)
Perfect for poolside sips or an after-dinner kick!
Chrissy’s Best Martini Moment:
The Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin. Spa day turned boozy babysitting. Let’s just say… don’t leave your kids with Chrissy and Jaysen after they’ve discovered the hotel bar’s espresso martini.
Bonus Tip:
If you’re not up for playing bartender, On the Rocks makes a ready-to-drink espresso martini that’s surprisingly good and found at Mariano’s. Just pour over ice and done.
Thanks for tuning in to Martini Monday, Chat #2! We’ll be back next week with another round of unfiltered advice and a fresh cocktail to try.
Cheers to planning your guest list and your bar menu, babe.
XO, Alexandra & Chrissy
Your wedding planning duo—with opinions and martinis always in hand
