Guest Count

We were local for us, but out of town for the majority of invited guests. We were over Thanksgiving weekend. We invited 201, with many courtesy invites. We wanted less than 150. We had 132 RSVP, and 3 no-shows. But we had 2 crashers, so they made up for the no-shows? Perfect strangers had a wonderful time while friends couldn't bother to let us know they wouldn't make it.

We had a pretty low decline rate. Invited 225 and had 201. This was a Friday wedding in Michigan weather in November, 4:30 ceremony. Needless to say, we expected a lot more declines.

We invited 250 and 225 said yes. It was on a Sunday night of a 3-day, summer, holiday weekend, in the US. Probably no one would have expected a decline rate of only 10%, but 90% were local and they got save the dates 10 months out. It probably didn't hurt that we booked a hotel, that known for its fabulous food and service. P.S. It was strictly 21 and up.

My entire immediate family is OOT and FH's family is in town. Extended fam for me is in CA (about 110 people). We are having a casual get together the week after the wedding for the CA fam bec it's cheaper on all ends! It's crazy.

Here's some more info on our wedding:

It is on a Saturday at 4:30. Kids are invited, we do have a lot of out of state friends or long driving distances and some family. I have 15 rooms blocked off at a hotel in town. Save the Dates are getting ready to be sent out (6 months).

We invited 187 and 141 came. Our 187 included plus ones for people who weren't dating anyone, so we ended up being right around where we were expecting for our decline rate.

We invited 195, 165 RSVP'd yes, 7 no shows = 158

Always plan for 100% attendance! Out of towners decide it's high time for a trip. That coworker acquaintance actually loves weddings. Aging great grandmother who never travels figures she should see her family before she dies. Best friend gets a great boyfriend right as your invites are going out. People do have 100% attendance and if you (general you) over-invite, you (general you) risk not being able to afford your plans or risking fire code at your venue or whatever.

My good friend invited 250 figuring that 170 would show. Her venue told her they wouldn't fit more than 180 for a sit down dinner. 210 RSVPd yes. Venue suggested buffet/cocktail style because "no one sits down all the time!" Venue was dead wrong; the first 180 or so people saved seats and several people had nowhere to go, standing to eat their meal, even the **pastor ** and MOB practically died of embarrassment over that one. People were not happy and some even expressed as such to the happy couple. My crowd is used to assigned tables and this went over very poorly, all due to over-inviting "because those people won't show but we have to invite them anyway."

Lessons, folks.