Wedding guest list template

A wedding guest list template is a column layout you can trust: name, household, side, +1, RSVP, notes. Fill it here, or export and keep working in Sheets. When names stabilize, push the same people into the seating chart tools instead of rebuilding from a group text. Pretty PDF checklists that cannot sort are not templates you can run a wedding on.

Guest list

Names before tables

6 guests
NameSide+1RSVPNotes
Continue to seating

Seating tools help you arrange guests — not a venue floor-plan CAD service or a wedding planner contract.

When to use — and when not to

When to use

You are starting from zero; parents asked for a template; you want the same columns on both sides of the family.

When not to

Your list is already clean and you only need seats → seating pages. You need envelope addressing merge fields beyond CSV — use your invitation vendor's mail merge.

Assumptions

Columns match the guest-list engine. Export is CSV (Excel/Sheets friendly). Google Sheets–specific landings can share this story until a dedicated slug ships.

Worked examples

Input: Paste 90 names into Name; set Side for half.

Output: sorted view by side for two parents to review.

Review ≠ veto forever — set a deadline.

Input: Template download → fill offline → re-import CSV.

Output: rows back in the tool with RSVP column updated.

Keep header row intact or import will misalign.

How it works

  1. Open the template grid (pre-labeled columns).
  2. Paste names under Name; fill +1 / RSVP as you go.
  3. Export CSV if you want a backup in Drive.
  4. Continue to seating when RSVPs are mostly in.

Common traps

  • Merged cells in Excel break imports — keep a flat table.
  • Commas inside notes are fine in proper CSV; export from the tool when you can.
  • One row per human (including named +1s).
  • Template shopping on Canva gives you a picture; this gives you data.

Compare

FAQ

Name, +1 offered/accepted, RSVP, household or side, notes. Add meal choice only if you are tracking it yourself.

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