Wedding Guest List Calculator

Calculate expected wedding attendance from invites sent using local (80%) and destination (60%) RSVP rates. Includes A-list/B-list strategy, capacity planning, and timeline guidance.

%
Expected Attendance
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RSVP Rate Used —
Expected Declines —
Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾
Expected Adult Guests
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With +1s Accepted (est.) —
Plate Count to Order —
Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾

Guest Counts

Total Invitations —
Expected Attendance —
Capacity Buffer —

Planning Timeline

Guest Balance Note —
Save-the-Date Target —
Invitation Mailing Target —

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your planned invitations count.
  2. Select local or destination wedding type.
  3. Use the A-List/B-List tab to plan a venue-capacity strategy.
  4. The Professional tab adds bride/groom side allocation and timeline guidance.

Formula

Expected attendance = Invites × RSVP rate. Local: 80%, Destination: 60%.

B-list to invite = Venue capacity − Expected A-list attendance, divided by 0.60.

Example

Local wedding, 150 invites: 150 × 0.80 = 120 expected guests. For 120-person venue, all spots likely filled.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For local weddings, plan on 75-85% of invited guests attending. A safe default is 80%. For destination weddings, expect 50-65% acceptance depending on travel distance and timing.
  • An A-list contains must-have guests sent invitations first. As declines come in, you send invitations to B-list guests to fill the venue. Send B-list invitations early enough that recipients don't realize they were not the first invite — ideally 8-10 weeks before the wedding.
  • For a 100-person guest target at a local wedding with 80% RSVP rate, send about 125 invitations. For a destination wedding at 60%, send about 167 invitations to expect 100 attendees.
  • Send save-the-dates 6-8 months before a local wedding and 10-12 months before a destination wedding. Formal invitations go out 6-8 weeks before the date with an RSVP deadline of 3-4 weeks before.

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Sources & References (5) ▾
  1. The Knot 2025 Wedding Guest Trends Report — The Knot
  2. WeddingWire Industry Survey — Guest Attendance — WeddingWire
  3. Brides Magazine — Guest List Etiquette Guide — Brides
  4. Martha Stewart Weddings — Invitation Timing — Martha Stewart Weddings
  5. Zola Wedding Planning Guides — Zola