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Destination Weddings Discussions
how do you get an idea of how many people will attend DW?
We are trying to figure out how many people we think might be able to go to our destination wedding but it's hard to get a firm number for far out (we will be getting married in 2015). We need to get a pretty good idea because it will impact where we decide to have the ceremony and reception as some venues can only accommodate a smaller number of people.
How have you ladies gone about getting a ball park number for your guest list a year out?
thanks!
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Re: how do you get an idea of how many people will attend DW?
You really need to plan for 100% attendance when starting planning. For my DW wedding, we invited about 80 people, hoping for 40-50 max, knowing that many people wouldn't come. But, our venue could easily accommodate all 80 if needed or adjust for a smaller group.
About 10 months out, we sent STD's. By that time, we (or our parents) had already talked to many people about the plans and we knew where most people stood on attending. So, at that time we had a pretty good idea, thinking it would be under 50 guests. That really is your best option for determining who may or may not come... just talk to people.
Then with our STD's we included a "preliminary RSVP" with options of 1) yes, we are coming; 2) sorry we can't make it; or 3) we hope to come but aren't sure yet. We only received about 1/2 of them back (and thought it would be rude to push for responses for a preliminary count or expect definite answers a year in advance). But, most of the ones we received were the people we really weren't sure about anyway. So, after that we knew our guest count was actually closer to 30, with only a few still unsure. After final invites & RSVP, we have 28 people coming.
Usually you kind of know though who would absolutely attend and who would absolutely NOT attend...the rest are maybes.
Aloha FutureMrsHashimoto,
You will be surprised at how many guests actually do attend a Maui wedding. Yes, it is far, but many like to plan vacations around this beautiful island. I agree with nicoann and plan for 100% attendance. It is much easier to reduce guest counts during the planning process then trying to add on guests at the last minute. As a wedding planner on Maui, we expect your max count and know this may fluctuate a bit. Please let us know if you need any help finding venues for your upcoming wedding in Maui, Hawaii. Mahalo!