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Just Said Yes November 2021

Guest count vs venue capacity?

Elise, on May 20, 2020 at 3:30 PM Posted in Planning 0 10

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Hi all!

We're still in the really early stages of planning, but we're looking at a venue with a capacity 150, and our rough guest list is currently at 140 for our must haves, and 175 for our nice to haves, and 180 for our broadest net. What has your experiences been with yes RSVPs vs invites? A number of people on the nice-to-haves list live pretty far away, or we haven't really talked to them in a while, so I'm not super worried, but my fiance is so I figured we'd ask!
Thanks!

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10 Comments

Latest activity by Meghan, on May 21, 2020 at 11:16 AM

Master September 2019
Sarah · on May 20, 2020 at 3:49 PM
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I definitely wouldn’t invite over venue capacity. All it takes is one person over and your entire event can get shut down. It’s great in theory to say that people won’t travel or won’t come if you haven’t talked to them in a while, but I’ve seen first hand how untrue that can be for some people.
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on May 20, 2020 at 4:02 PM
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Agree with PP, don’t invite any more than you can accommodate.
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Just Said Yes November 2021
Elise · on May 20, 2020 at 4:03 PM
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Glad I asked then! Thanks you two!!
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on May 20, 2020 at 4:46 PM
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Definitely don't invite more than your capacity just in case everyone does say yes but from what i've seen it is usually a 20% decline rate.
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Super June 2021
Elizabeth · on May 20, 2020 at 5:02 PM
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I agree with everyone - I wouldn't invite more than you can accommodate because that would be really sticky if more decided to come than expected. It seems like it can be really hard to determine - some times people get way more "no" or "yes" responses than expected for no particular reason - the date just works or doesn't for people.
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Savvy January 2021
Futuremrs.v · on May 20, 2020 at 6:27 PM
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My mom has always told me that out of everyone you invite 1/2-3/4 will come.
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Master October 2022
Jana · on May 20, 2020 at 8:45 PM
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Never invite more than the capacity (they are fire codes for safety) and always prepare for 100% attendance. If you want everyone to attend, find a bigger venue. Do not have A and B lists either.

You will be shocked at how many people are more than willing to travel so never underestimate distance being a barrier.
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VIP September 2020
Willow · on May 20, 2020 at 9:12 PM
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Also consider your venue capacity when accounting for social distancing. They may only be able to have it 25% full or such, depending on what the regulations are at the time.
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Super October 2020
Leslie · on May 20, 2020 at 10:41 PM
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Agree with the others. We invited MIL neighbor-75 years old - and thought for sure she wouldn’t travel 2 hours for evening wedding- and she was one of the first to RSVP. Thankfully she won’t be invited on the second round. But always assume everyone will say yes.
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on May 21, 2020 at 11:16 AM
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Definitely don't invite more than your venue can hold. We only had 13 declines and all of our guests had to travel.
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Guest count vs venue capacity?

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