When you're putting together your guest list, there's a big temptation to think more about the per-person price for the reception than about who this person is to you.

Even though you have to be smart with money, probably keep the guest list down, you lose your perspective when you're thinking about each and every person on your guest list as a dollar amount. You shouldn't be upset because your aunt and uncle can make it to the wedding, and that's going to cost you another $150. You can't let your guest list turn into dollar amounts. That's just going to stress you out even more than garden variety wedding budget stress. So here's your Balancing Solution to return you to Planning in Peace:

Look at your guest list, and for each name on it, think about one quick favorite memory with them. It might be a joke shared at a family party, a vacation memory, the best time you had with them at school. This gets you in a gratitude state of mind....aren't you lucky to get to spend your wedding day with so many terrific people? Do this Balancing Solution anytime you need to, such as when you're writing out the invitations and when all of those response cards start coming back with 'Yes! We can't wait!'