A plus-one is a direct challenge to your curation. One uninvited stranger in a room of carefully chosen guests can change the entire tone of the event. Here is how to manage plus-ones without burning relationships.
Default to No
State 'no plus-ones' in the invite. Make it the default, not the exception. Frame it as part of the privacy policy, not a personal slight. Most friends will understand — the ones who push back probably should not have been invited anyway.
See also: How to Host a Private Dinner Party in Lagos.
Allow Strategic Exceptions
For long-term partners and specific high-trust relationships, allow plus-ones but require full verification through Whispers. This makes the exception feel earned and documented rather than casual.
Keep reading: The Art of Crafting an Invite-Only Guest List.
Enforce at the Door
The door is your last line of defence. With Whispers rotating QR codes, only verified guests check in. Strangers never make it past the entrance.