Hen do invitations and guest list: a simple way to get everyone in

Agree the guest list with the bride

Check who the bride wants there before a group chat makes assumptions. Include friends from different parts of her life, and ask privately about any relationships or surprises that need care. Decide who is invited to the whole celebration and who may only come to dinner or another part of the day.

Use each person's full name when possible. Two people with the same first name can cause confusion in invitations, room plans and shared costs. The organiser can add someone before she has an account, then connect her invitation to that place in the guest list.

Make the invitation useful

A guest needs the date or date range, destination, expected cost range and reply deadline. Say clearly what is confirmed and what is still being discussed. If the bride's share is being covered, explain that before anyone agrees to a budget.

A personal link is helpful when you already know the guest's name; a group QR code works when friends are together and need to join themselves. In either case, check that the link leads to the correct party and that a guest can finish joining on her own phone.

Ask for the right answer

A single yes or no may be too crude for a three-day celebration. Ask whether someone can attend the whole party, only the main day, or just one activity. Record dietary and accessibility needs privately, and avoid putting personal details in a general group message.

Set a date for an initial reply and another date for a firm paid commitment if suppliers need final numbers. Silence is not an RSVP. Send one friendly reminder close to the deadline, then give the restaurant or accommodation provider a headcount based on actual answers.

Handle late joins and changes

Someone may accept after you have booked dinner. Before adding her to a paid activity, confirm there is space and tell her what share she would take on. If another guest cannot attend, check cancellation terms before promising that her deposit will come back.

Keep the guest list attached to the actual event instead of recreating it from chat messages. Avoid duplicate entries when someone receives a second link or switches phones. Where appropriate, let trusted co-organisers help maintain the list while leaving final decisions clear.

What to do next

Once the replies give you a reliable headcount, decide the two or three questions the group still needs to settle, such as dinner time or activity choice. A quick poll is easier to answer than another long discussion. Then save confirmed bookings and deadlines in the shared plan.

Reveli supports named invitations, group joining and a shared crew list. Use it to give each guest one place to join and check the plan; keep any surprise details visible only to the people who should see them.

Make a quick final check

Check each person's name and attendance before the first deposit is due. Keep a clear distinction between a possible guest and someone who has committed to a paid activity.