Start with the people, then the place
Before the flowers or the floor plan, a guest list helps the important decisions find their shape.
A guest list is more than a number for the caterer. It tells you what kind of gathering you are making. A dinner for twelve asks different things of a room than a wedding for eighty, even when the feeling you want is the same.
Begin with the people you most want in the room. Think about how they know each other, who will travel, and who may need a quieter place to sit or an easier route from the entrance. Keep those practical needs alongside the names.
Then consider the moments you want to share. A long meal needs a table and enough time to use it. A party built around dancing needs space that does not disappear when dinner ends. These choices are often more helpful than starting with a venue photograph.
Your first list can change. Its job is to give the conversation a useful shape, so the space, budget and plan can respond to the people attending.