Weddings are joyful celebrations with family and friends, yet planning the perfect one involves many decisions, including creating the guest list. Several factors, such as your budget, venue capacity, and your relationship with potential guests, come into play when addressing this question. However, the most important thing is to make choices that align with your and your partner's vision for your special day.
Photo by @thejillmcgill.
Factors to Consider When Deciding The Number of Guests
1. Your Wedding’s Style
The first step in deciding how many people to invite to your wedding is figuring out the vibe and overall feel you want for your big day. Do you envision a large, formal affair with hundreds of guests? Or do you prefer something more intimate, with only close family and friends in attendance? Once you have a vision for your wedding, it becomes easier to narrow down your guest list.
- Elopement weddings are typically for couples who want a small ceremony with just themselves, or close family and perhaps some friends.
- Small weddings are perfect for couples who want something intimate that still includes family and friends. You’ll likely invite around 50 to 100 guests for a small wedding.
- Large weddings are best for couples who want to celebrate with all their extended families and friends. You’ll likely invite 200 or more guests if you're planning a large wedding.
Of course, you might shoot for 150 guests, or be upwards of 300.
Photo by Julieta.
2. Wedding Venue
Your venue also plays a role in deciding how many people to invite. If you're planning a destination wedding or elopement, then you'll likely have a smaller guest list. But if you're getting married at a large banquet hall or hotel, you'll have more flexibility regarding the number of guests.
When considering wedding venue capacity, it's crucial to closely examine the maximum number of guests the space can comfortably accommodate. Think about the ceremony site, the cocktail hour area for people to mingle, the buffet/seated dinner setting, and the dance floor. Check out our Must Ask Questions to The Wedding Venues for the full guide.
3. Budget
Your wedding budget is another important factor to consider when deciding how many people to invite. If you’re on a tight budget, you may need to limit the number of guests you invite.
On the other hand, larger budget gives you more flexibility. Let’s take a look at average wedding costs based on the number of guests.
With the average cost per guest in the United States a bit over $300, wedding costs averaging at:
- Less than 50 guests: $8,000-$17,000
- 50 guests: $16,000 - $25,000
- 100 guests: $31,000 - $40,000
- 150 guests: $46,000 - $55,000
- 200 guests: $61,000 - $70,000
- 250 guests: $70,000 - $100,000
4. Family Expectations
While the guest list is made by the couple, it will also be influenced by family members (and even friends). Often parents have requests for the guest list, as might grandparents and other close family members. So know that the guest list you and your partner make may only be a portion of what it ends up being, but have the conversation with your parents about what you are envisioning for your big day.
Another thing to consider when deciding how many people to invite to your wedding is your relationship with the people on your guest list. If you have a large extended family, then you may feel obligated to invite them all. But if you're not close with your cousins or second cousins, then you can probably leave them off the list.
Photo by @amritphotography.
5. Plus Ones
If you're wondering how many people to invite to your wedding, you've probably also debated plus ones. And there are a lot of different opinions on them. Some options for inviting plus ones include:
- Everyone gets one
- Only married or engaged couples get one
- Those in serious relationships get one
- Couples that have a friendship with the couple get one
- Those that you have met before can attend
Some couples give plus ones to everyone on their list! But for others, it’s just not possible for them to give everyone a plus one that wants one.
If you'd prefer a smaller wedding with only close family and friends in attendance, don't hesitate to leave the plus ones off the list. No matter what you decide, be prepared to answer questions about this–and even requests for plus ones from people that did not receive them.
6. Coworkers
Inviting coworkers can get a little tricky since it might mean you have to invite them all. One addition to the guest list could easily become five…plus all their plus ones!
If you're close with your coworkers and you want them to be there, then go ahead and invite them. But you don't have the obligation to invte your coworkers. Some couples prefer to keep work and personal life separate.
7. Individuals That Invited You To Their Wedding
This is a tough one: do you have to invite people to your wedding who invited you to theirs? You should never feel obligated to invite anyone to your wedding, so there are a few things to think about:
- How big was their wedding, and how big is yours?
- When was their wedding, and when will yours be?
- Do you see them often besides the respective weddings?
- Will you continue seeing them more frequently or less frequently in the next few years?
- Who else do they know at the wedding?
- Do you enjoy spending time with them?
The bottom line is that you should only invite people to your wedding who you actually want to be there.
8. Children and Teenagers
Finally, you'll need to decide whether or not to invite children to your wedding. There are a few ways you can settle this.
- 18 and up
- 13 and up
- 5 and up
- All children are welcome!
What's the Average Percentage of Wedding Guests That Actually Attend?
According to various reports, the average percentage of wedding guests that actually attend is between 80 and 90%. This means you can expect around 15% of your guests to not be able to attend, quickly making a 200-person wedding into a 170-person wedding. However, this can change dramatically if you are hosting a destination wedding, since the cost to attend is so much higher for guests. Be sure to factor this in if you are planning a wedding in a remote or far away location from the majority of your guests.
This number can vary depending on the location of your wedding, the time of year, and who the guests are that you’re inviting. This means you should probably end up inviting a few more people than your maximum number.
Save the dates can help you know further in advance who can’t make it to the wedding. This also gives you more flexibility with your guest list. If you can only host a maximum of 150 people, but find out through save the dates that 20 of those people can’t go, then you can add others to your guest list that you wanted to be there.
Photo by @annataylor_photo.
Invitation Suites by Minted.
How To Keep Track Of Your Wedding Guest List
Once you've decided how many people to invite to your wedding, the next step is to keep track of your guest list RSVPs.
Whether you use an online spreadsheet with all of your guests’ information, or choose to write it down manually, it’s incredibly important to keep track of who said they can and cannot attend your wedding.
You will probably get some RSVPs throughout the wedding process, such as:
- Before save the dates even go out: Some guests that know your wedding date in advance might let you know. Still request formal RSVPs from all guests so it’s easier to keep track.
- After save the dates: After save the dates are received, you’ll most likely get responses from guests that they can or cannot attend.
- After wedding invitations: This should be when you get the bulk of RSVPs, and ideally even those that have RSVP’d previously will RSVP formally at this time.
- Closer to the wedding: Unfortunately, some guests that RSVP’d yes might have last-minute conflicts for your wedding. Don’t be surprised if some guests decline even after the requested RSVP date.
Though ideally guests will RSVP as you request of them (online, RSVP cards, etc.) you might get some RSVPs via:
- In person
- Informal texts or calls
- Word of mouth
In this case, you can always request that the guest also RSVPs in the manner you’ve provided so that all RSVPs are in one place.
However you’re tracking, be sure to make frequent updates. This way, you'll always know who is coming and who isn't.
Bottom Line: How Many People Should You Invite To Your Wedding?
The answer is ultimately up to you. If you want a small, intimate wedding with only close family and friends in attendance, then don't hesitate to leave some people off the guest list. But if you want a larger wedding, then the more the merrier!
There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to how many people to invite to your wedding. The most important thing is that you make a decision that you're comfortable with and that will allow you and your partner to have a wedding you’ll love. Choose the people that will make you the happiest that day.
For more help, check out our full guide on creating your guest list here.
