My fiance and I are trying to figure out who we should extend a plus one to and who should not get one. We were thinking that criteria should be that you need to either be married, living together or dating for more than a year to be extended a "plus one." Especially, if they have other friends attending that they can stay with.
If person hasn't beeng dating someone for a considerable amount of time and doesn't know anyone else attending we would allow that person to bring a guest so he/she would be comfortable and have someone to stay with.
I know some people say "the least you can do is let them is bring someone since they are traveling so far" but that "the least you can do..." phrase can be applied to almost any aspect of the wedding and always involves the couple spending even more money. Besides nobody is forcing these people to attend. They can always decline the invitation and we would be fine with that.
But we figured as long as they are friends with atleast one other person already on the guest list and/or can stay with someone else there is no reason to extend a plus one.
I've heard of other brides saying they can have plus ones but excluding the "plus one" from the reception. I don't think I could do that because I would feel bad having them partake in all these festivities with us but then kick them out for the reception.
I know others are telling guests they can bring a plus one and have them use the group rate but tell them their ability to attend the reception depends on how many people on the guest list decline.
So how are we dealing with plus ones? Where are you drawing the line? Are you allowing everyone to bring one? Are you allowing everyone to take advantage of the group rates?
ETA: I am not judging the seriousness of a relationship based on length. I just need to find a way to draw the line. My fiance and I were very serious at 3 months so I know length doesn't always reflect the intensity of the relationship.