What is the rule of thumb for % of invited guests coming to DW? 50%?

jgethin

I know for regular weddings it is much higher, but for DW? Can anyone give me some numbers that you had for your wedding, like we invited 150 and 75 showed up? Thanks, I am trying to figure out our guest list.

BentleyBaby

I was actually *JUST* going to scour the previous pages on this board for that question. I just did our StDs and realized we're inviting a LOT more people than I had planned. I'm neither counting on all of them to come nor most of them not to come. But realistically I know they won't all be able to attend. Glad you asked! I remember reading before DW should count on 50-60%. Somewhere. But I'd be curious what our married ladies say.

t1nkfan

We invited 120 and we have 50 coming. A few have dropped out last minute.

ginaherman6

We invited 120, 34 are coming... I would say that it's less than 50%. Many people will be on board in the beginning or make you feel like they are coming, but realistically depending on your location and cost, it might be hard for the average guest to attend. HTH.

jgethin

Thanks, my list is HUGE 250 people. We keep saying, oh they won't come.... but I am freaking out because if 200 people show up we would literally not have room at the venue we chose. It will hold 80-100 people which is the number we "think" will show up. I feel like even some of those people will not show up when it comes down to it. I mean a ton of people are family we have not seen in a long time, I am trying to figure out a fair way to axe people and just invite them to the party at home.

BentleyBaby

I would say not to count on people NOT coming. Depending on where your venue is. Realistically 100% of your guests will not be coming but I've always been told it's dangerous to plan on a certain number/specific percentage not attending.

BentleyBaby

Where is your wedding?

jgethin

St. John April 2010. I know,  I can't expect people not to show up. I think we will have to invite groups of family to just the reception back home and get the number down for the wedding

BentleyBaby

That'd be a safe bet. But with a destination like that (fun!) I would guess your numbers would be fine too. A trip is still a trip even if people WANT to go. Have you had any indication from any of them if they would or would not be able to go (even though, like the other post said, sometimes people say they want to or can go and then don't)? On a separate note, I just finished my StDs & realized how big my guest list is so I had a tiny moment of "holy shite" lol.

Catalina Island Bound

We knew that having a DW would definitely make our guest count at the wedding a lot lower than normal. I must say though, for us, we have more people who booked their cruise than we expected! We sent STD's to everyone, more as an "announcment" than anything for some but didn't think they'd be able to make it. You'd be surprised at how many people you don't think will be able to make it will make it!!!!!

BoBride28

I think it depends on how far the majority of your guests have to travel. Most of my guests live on the East Coast. We invited 160 and right now we have 84 attending. I definitely think you can assume that at least 20% of your list will not show.