Your guest list is completed and the invitations are mailed out.
You even sent out fun RSVP cards to encourage guests to send in their responses quickly.
Now is the fun part: waiting for the RSVPs to come rollin’ back in and you can’t help but wonder how many wedding guests to expect at your wedding.
Sure, you have a guest list with a total number invited, but that isn’t necessarily the number of guests who will actually attend the wedding itself.
Ideally, you would love 100% of all invited guests to make it. And we’d love that for you, too!
However, statistically speaking, the total number of invited guests vs. the percentage of wedding guests who actually attend are two different numbers.
Don’t take it personally! This is typical for every couple and every wedding.
Furthermore, a few guests may enthusiastically RSVP with a yes, only to need to decline on the actual day itself. Things come up and, such is life: don’t sweat it!
Instead, plan ahead! Here’s how to calculate how many guests actually show up to a wedding. This is an approximate estimate, of course, and a final headcount will determine a more accurate number as you inch up closer to the “respond by” date.
How Many Guests to Expect at Your Wedding
Here’s the magic formula:
– Approximately 75% of guests will attend your wedding
This includes a few guests who may send in a yes on the RSVP card but can not make it on the day itself.
Out of the total number, approximately 75% of those to be local and 25% are out-of-towners (so make sure you have those wedding welcome bags ready!)
So, let’s recap:
– If you’re inviting 200 guests, expect 150 wedding guests to attend.
– If you’re inviting 150 guests, plan on 112 guests in attendance.
– If you’re inviting 50 guests, you should have 37 guests.
Now that you know how many guests to expect at your wedding, you’ll have what you need for how many wedding favors to order and how many programs you will need.
Do you have any questions on the topic? Does this number surprise you or is it what you expected? Let us know in the comment box below.
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
2 comments
super helpful article but the math seems to be off.. 85% of 150 is 128 and of 50 its 43. I think you used 75% for the latter 2 numbers. Am I missing something here?
Hi Nicole! My apologies, it is 75% (fixed the typo). Thanks for the note! It is a great estimate at 75% of your guest list and was spot-on for my own wedding, too. Hope it helps!
Comments are closed.