How many people won't come?

There really is no way to know. The variables are in your favor (day of the week, OOT/OOS guests, etc.), but sometimes the people you least expect to make the trip, will make the trip. If you think 200 will feel like too many, don’t invite that many. If you invite that many, be prepared to host them all.

We invited 101 and had 77 RSVP “Yes”.

There are so many variables that it is impossible to estimate how many people will decline. If you want a smaller guest list, you need to cut the guest list rather than count on people choosing not to come.

Only send your STDs out to VIPs and not your entire guest list. Then you have wiggle room when you have to cut your list drastically.

I get where @Richard is coming from but if you limit the STDs to certain people and people start talking, they might think they are not invited since they didn't get a STD and someone else did. It can be risky. I think keeping your list to about 180 should be fine. 200 might be pushing it. Just remember that even if someone says they can't make it based on the STD, they may change their mind once the wedding rolls around.

PP i am in a similar same boat. While we invited and can afford to host all 242 ppl we are inviting id much rather host around 175 ish. But there is really no way to know until RSVPs roll in. Either way we have space, funding and will be prepared. If space is an issue you may want to scale back.

Who said anything about Chipotle being served - did I miss something?

@First-Yes.

Do not send out Save the Dates until you are sure you can comfortably sit and feed ALL the guests on your list. You never know who will come and who will decline - we have a 78% acceptance rate and it was very surprising who said no and why. Don't be surprised if people cash in their miles to come and see you and celebrate with you!

@firstoneat56: It is a now hidden thread.

Only invite those you can accommodate. We had less than 20 declines, final numbers were around 140 . We did know at least ten who couldn't come before we sent them invites, aunts who were away etc but had to send an invite to them anyway.

Why a monday wedding? Are you actors? Are the majority of your guests AEA?

you have to plan for 100% attendance. If you only want 120 cut your list.

We only had 10% of our invited guests decline the invitation. 1. It was the Sunday night of a 3-day, summer holiday weekend. 2. We only invited guests 21 and up. 3. We mailed out save the dates 10 months before.

I think we had the acceptance rate we did because of the venue and all the information we put on the website (the menu, the link to the band, etc.) Our venue had a 5 star rating for food and service, so I believe more guests made the effort to attend.

Normally I would say don't invite 200 but if its on a Monday then probably at LEAST 20% won't attend. In your case if it's 120-150 I would invite 180ish BUT that's only if you're doing this for like a general kinda budget not for a venue size limit or something. Like if you're like "well I would prefer to spend X$ but if 10 more people come I won't break my bank" but If it's a venue size limit then def don't over invite

@Rosered - thanks, I thought I was going crazy - LOL!

We invited 226, and planned for all 226 in our budget, but thankfully only 165 are coming. We are thrilled since we wanted a wedding closer to 150 in the first place. Most of our declines are second cousins from out of the state/country. I'm sure the fact that I didn't invite their young children and it being a Thursday helped. Lol