RSVP- How many decline?

kac12170 · May 2011

I have seen a lot of people on these discussion boards who have their RSVP counts in their signature. This has me wondering, for those of you whose RSVP dates are past, what percentage of people decline? Obviously it's different for different people, depending on distance of wedding/relatives, but I would like to know what your numbers were. How many people did you invite?How many people declined? Thanks!

CassieeK · May 2011

I have heard that about 20 % decline, but you should always plan/budget for 100% attendance.

playingonadream · May 2011

I've also heard 20-25% usually decline but I've heard of weddings where all but 5% were in attendence. I've also heard that the longer the time betweeen the announcement of the nuptuals date and the wedding the more likely people are to attend. For example, if you set the wedding date for 3 months away you'll have far less RSVPs then if you set the wedding a year away. I'm not yet to the RSVP stage so I'm just passing along what I've heard. I look forward to seeing if anyone with experience knows something more.

allyson+williams · May 2011

I had always heard 20%, and I thought mine would be way lower. As it turns out, it was exactly 20%, ha ha. I agree with PP though...use the number you actually invited in your budget and as the number when you book your venue.

thesequel · May 2011

Assume that you will have 100% attendance because if you don't, you will have 100%. The number seems to vary between information sources - I have seen 10%, right up to 25%.

Only invite the number that you can afford.

Good luck!

kac12170 · May 2011

It's not that we are inviting more guests than we can afford. Our venue requires a minimum guarantee, so I am just wonderinf what percentage to ensure that we will actually meet that minimum, and not be paying for more guests than we even have there. We are inviting 177 and have guaranteed a minimum of 125.