Invitation - How many to invite?

koreana12

Hi Ladies!

I ideally would like to have 160 people at my wedding.  From your own experience or your friends experiences - How many invites should I send out max?  Thanks for your help!  I really need it. 

MissCynic

15% is the typical decline rate.

Karen's MOH

I have heard 20% as the usual decline. But that varies based on, say, how close you had tot cut the list to begin with, or how far people have to travel. If you can FIT and AFFORD more, but just want it to be 160, you could probably invite almost 200. But you do really have to be prepared for everyone to come, so if I would you I'd keep it closer to 180. Just my opinion.

ARez726

Well, before you start thinking about the number of people you want there, I think you should assemble a guest list of every person you can think of that you'd want at your wedding in a perfect world of limitless space and limitless funds.  Then, I would assemble them in categories like "must-haves" and "would be nice" and "take 'em or leave 'em."  Since you didn't really elaborate, I have no idea if you've really gotten this far or not.  If your limitless list is 150 people, then I think it's silly to throw in more people just because you want that many people there.  If you're just looking for the 15-20% rule of thumb...then I guess you can just disregard what I've said...haha!  I think you might get more helpful responses if you give a little more scoop! 

CCBelle

Figure out how many guests your venue can comfortably hold.  Talk to your parents and your FI's parents about how many guests they are hoping to invite.  Then reconcile these to come up with your number.  Never assume you're going to have a certain percentage decline.  And only invite those people that you really want to share your day with you - don't feel as though you have to have to reach a certain number.  I had 70 guests at my wedding, and looking back on it, we could have crossed another 10 off our list with no regrets.

koreana12

Hi!

All helpful information.  Thank you!  The wedding location can hold maximum 180, but I would really like 160 people only.  I think the list now is 210 or something like that....I heard that you should only invite what you can hold??  Does that mean I shouldn't invite more than 180?  Or is it ok to expect that I will get some no's since most people have to travel etc...

FYI - I already have a list compiled and pretty much know who I want there - its just a matter of space really and how close can I cut it with the invites....    I'd love to invite everyone - but space is an issue and I want the people who do come to be comfortable.  

Karen's MOH

In this case, I would invite the 180. That way, if everyone comes, you are still ok, but in all likelihood, you will have closer to 160. Hope that helps.

koreana12

Thank You!

MeaghanandMichael

You should never ever extend inviatations to more people than can fit in your space. It seems like common sense that it would be an absolute logistic nightmare if every one accepted.