“How many people should I invite to my wedding?” This is one of the most common and challenging questions that couples face when planning their big day. The number of guests you invite can have a huge impact on your budget, venue, and overall experience. But how do you decide who makes the cut and who doesn’t? In this article, Viva Wedding Photography will help you answer this question by providing some tips and factors to consider when creating your wedding guest list.
What’s the average number of wedding guests?
According to Zola’s 2024 First Look Report, the average wedding size is approximately 145 guests. There are various factors that can affect this number, including your location, venue preferences, budget, and overall vision for the event. If you prefer a more intimate backyard party, for example, the number of guests could be far smaller. If you’re uncertain how many people to invite to your wedding, consider using this number as a baseline for your guest list discussions.
What percentage of wedding guests typically attend?
Here’s another tip for determining how many guests to invite to your wedding: take into account the average wedding attendance rate. Based on multiple reports, approximately 15% of guests invited to a wedding will decline the invitation. For instance, if you invite 100 guests to your wedding, only 85 people will actually attend. Keep in mind that this method is not completely reliable, but you could increase your target invite list by approximately 10%, anticipating that some recipients may not be able to attend.
If the majority of your guests RSVP “yes,” make sure you can accommodate that number of attendees. If some individuals decline the invitation, view it as a positive outcome that could lighten your financial burden a little.
How many people should I invite to my wedding? Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Think about the overall vibe you want for the day
Is a large ballroom filled with many black-tie guests the ideal setting for your wedding? Or do you prefer a cozy candlelit table with a small dance floor for a more intimate setting? Sit down with your partner and envision your ideal wedding, and the amount of guests will naturally follow. There is a distinction between “How many people should I invite to my wedding?” and the number of people you actually want to invite!
Step 2: Create your fantasy wedding guest list
In the early stages of the wedding planning process, we highly recommend making a dream guest list that includes everyone you would like to invite if there are no budget constraints. Just avoid listing everyone you’ve ever encountered! The list should still include people you care about, such as family members, close friends, and your parents’ friends.
Step 3: Determine your budget
After envisioning all your ideal situations, it’s time to face reality. A rule of thumb for wedding guest list is to have an open discussion with your partner about your budget, including potential financial support from family members. A crucial thing to keep in mind is the more people you invite, the more money you will have to pay.
On average, the cost of hosting a wedding guest in the U.S. can vary from $200 to over $500, with an average of around $300, considering expenses like food, drinks, rentals, and invitations. Think about how the number of guests you invite will affect your budget, and remember that you don’t have to invite the maximum number of guests just because you have the means to do so. Having a $30,000 wedding budget for 80 guests would look very different than one with 160, giving you more flexibility when it comes to the venue, catering, and vendors you can afford.
Step 2: Consider your venue capacity
Most wedding venues have a capacity limit, so it’s important to keep that in mind when planning your big day. On some occasions when they do not apply (such as when you are getting married on private property), you will have a bit more flexibility. If your dream venue cannot accommodate your whole party as originally planned, you might want to customize your list to match the venue’s dimensions.
Step 4: Make your A-list
Once you’ve determined your wedding venue and budget, you can estimate how many people you can and want to invite.
Highlight the people on your ideal wedding guest list who you absolutely cannot envision celebrating your special day without. All of the “must-have” guests—parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, etc.—are part of the A list.
Step 5: Make your B-list
After finalizing your A list, you can start contemplating who should be added to the B list. This is a list of people who were not included on the wedding guest list, but you truly wish they could attend. “Save the Dates” and the initial batch of invitations are not sent to them. When the A-listers can’t make it, you can contact the B-listers. That does not imply they aren’t A-listers in your heart, but venue, budget, and family limit every wedding.
Remember that you don’t have to invite everyone you knew in high school or even your extended family! What about those second cousins you’ve never met? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just cross them off the list of who to invite to your wedding.
Viva Wedding Photography Tip
Send out wedding invitations for guests from the B list as soon as possible, as anything less than 6 weeks before the wedding will give the impression that they were just considered “maybe” attendees.
Questions to ask when deciding “How many people should I invite to my wedding?”
Are you still struggling to decide on “How many people should you invite to your wedding?” While you’re at it, make sure to ask yourself the following questions. Your guest list count will be subjective because no two couples are identical; however, you can utilize these ideas as a starting point.
Which guests should be invited with plus-ones?
There is no obligation to provide every guest with a plus-one. Having said that, those who are married, engaged, or in a committed relationship (at least a year or more) would likely appreciate receiving an extended invitation. (Wouldn’t you also want to bring your loved one to a wedding?)
Also, consider giving plus-one invitations to people who won’t know anyone else there. When determining the number of guests to invite to your wedding. Make sure to count all the plus-ones when determining your total guest count for the wedding.
>>> Further reading: Must-know Wedding Plus-One Etiquette for Zero Awkwardness
How many invitations should your parents get?
Parental guest lists are typically influenced by the financial contributions of your parents towards the wedding. If they are, you would typically give them greater leeway.
One approach to handle your parents’ additional guests is by allocating a specific number of invitations to each of them. By doing so, you may relax knowing that the guest list is manageable, while they will be pleased that they can include some of their closest friends and family.
Do you and your partner want children in attendance?
Whether or not to have children at your wedding is totally up to you. Adult-only weddings are fairly common; just make sure to include this information on your invitation.
When determining if children are suitable for your event, take into account the timing and general atmosphere. Weddings that take place in the morning or late afternoon are often less formal, so you might feel more comfortable including children if that’s what you like. An evening event is more likely to be an adults-only occasion.
Will you stay in touch with this guest for five years?
Take a look at each invitee and answer these questions:
- Who are they, and why do you invite them to your wedding?
- Do you plan to stay in touch with them regularly in five years?
If the response is no or uncertain, it might be worth excluding them from the guest list, particularly if you need to reduce the number of guests.
Are coworkers who should I invite to my wedding?
If you and your colleague share a strong personal bond outside of work, you might feel more inclined to invite them. When it comes to bosses, superiors, and other acquaintances, there’s no need to feel obligated to invite them if you’re not close. Consider your personal connection with each coworker and their level of involvement in your personal life to decide if inviting them to your wedding is necessary.
The number of guests you can invite for different wedding sizes
The elopement: 4-10 guests
There are times when you’re eager to get married, or you just want a relaxed, intimate celebration with your partner and a few guests. If you find yourself in this category, an elopement wedding could be a perfect option for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| Budget-friendly: The fewer the guests, the less expensive the wedding. | Fewer people to share memories with: After the event, you may wish you had more relatives and friends to share your big day with. |
| Versatility: You may marry wherever you choose. Do you want to get married in Ibiza? Fabulous. Have you ever wished to say “I do” amid the Northern Lights? Do it. | Miss out on certain traditional aspects of the wedding: You may miss out on traditions such as bouquet tossing or making your grand entrance at the reception. Of course, this could be advantageous if you like to create your own traditions. |
Micro wedding: 10-20 guests
Planning to invite your closest friends and family members without turning it into a large event? The micro wedding is definitely for you. This wedding size allows for both affordability and intimacy, which is similar to an elopement, while also including a few extra guests to celebrate the special day.
| Pros | Cons |
| Make your own plans: Who says you must attend each conventional wedding function in the same order? You can have your first dance whenever you want. Or would you like to forego dessert and start cutting the cake right away? Of course, you can. | It could be challenging to decide who to invite: Even though you’re inviting those closest to you, some friends and family might not be there and could be left wondering why they weren’t included. |
| Customize your approach: Hosting a micro wedding allows you to personalize every detail of your special day. | You might still need to find a location: Elopement weddings can eliminate the need for venue rental, but micro ones may need more space than what your home or backyard can provide. |
Small wedding: 20-80 guests
If your guest list is too long for a micro wedding, there’s no need to stress. Consider including extended friends and immediate family and omitting coworkers, old teachers, and other distant relatives.
| Pros | Cons |
| The best of both worlds: Enjoy the companionship of those closest to you without having to prepare a large wedding party. | Reducing the guest list might still be difficult: Even after you’ve narrowed down your guest list, there may be some folks you’d like to invite (but won’t be able to). |
| Reduced stress: You can easily enjoy quality time with each guest without feeling pressured to greet every single person at the reception. | Absent could be a greater issue: When a few friends or family members have to decline, it can be more noticeable. |
Average: 100-200 guests
A wedding with 100 to 200 guests is just the right size, not too big or too small. It’s the perfect compromise between wedding size and budget. You may invite both immediate and extended family members, children, and one or two tables of friends along with their plus ones.
| Pros | Cons |
| The more the merrier! It truly is the perfect size. You can invite your family and friends, and there’s still space for a few more guests. | Even 100 can feel like a lot: While you’re in the midst of a wedding, you may feel you have too many people to see and spend time with. You must also factor in the catering expenditures, seats, and cake. |
| Balance time and activities: There will be plenty of time for you to perform your dance moves while you greet all of your guests. | Finding the perfect venue can be quite challenging: You have fewer guests than required for a large venue, yet too many to accommodate in smaller settings. |
Large: 200-300 guests
With a wedding of this size, you can almost surely invite everyone on your guest list, plus a few extras. You’ll have plenty of room for friends and family, your college friends, second cousins, and even more distant relatives.
| Pros | Cons |
| A large gathering: A guest list of this size guarantees a fantastic time. | More guests necessitate more preparation: It can be challenging to account for all the specific details when managing a guest list of this magnitude. |
| Additional assistance as needed: Having a large wedding means many people are usually available to help. | Bigger budget: The guest list, venue, meal, and other factors will substantially increase wedding expenses. |
Massive: 300+ guests
Even if you aren’t marrying into royalty, you could still want your wedding to have the vibe of a community celebration. The question “How many people should I invite to my wedding?” basically has no limit as long as you have the means to do so and a large enough wedding budget.
| Pros | Cons |
| Bigger connections: A wedding is one of the few occasions that may unite people from all over the world. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with family and friends you haven’t seen in years. | Time to socialize with each guest may be reduced: There will be lots of people to talk to, but with more than 300 attendees, it’s doubtful that you’ll have the chance to meet everyone. |
| You can invite everyone: You won’t have to worry about who gets an invitation or who doesn’t because you’ll be sending out so many. | It may be more difficult to say no: Having such a large guest list means you have fewer reasons to exclude anyone, even those you may not prefer to invite |
>>> Read More:
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- 98 Fun Bridesmaid Group Chat Names To Boost Your Wedding Day
Creating your wedding guest list can be a stressful and complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. By following the tips and factors we discussed in this article, you can determine the optimal number of guests. Viva Wedding Photography believes there is no right or wrong answer to the question, “How many people should I invite to my wedding?” It’s your special day, and you should celebrate it with the people who matter the most to you. Whether you choose to have a large or small wedding, the most important thing is that you and your partner are happy and enjoy every moment of it.
