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EventCalc
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RSVP Estimator

Enter your invitees by relationship category to predict how many guests will actually attend. Uses real-world acceptance rates by group type.

RSVP Estimator

Enter how many people you plan to invite in each category. The estimator uses real acceptance rates to predict your final headcount.

~95% accept rate
~85% accept rate
~75% accept rate
~65% accept rate
~55% accept rate
~50% accept rate
~60% accept rate

How It Works

Different guest groups have very different acceptance rates. Immediate family almost always attends, while coworkers and out-of-town guests decline at much higher rates. This tool applies those real-world percentages to your specific guest list.

  1. Enter the number of invitees in each relationship category.
  2. Review predicted yes/no counts per category.
  3. Use the +5% buffer number for final vendor headcounts.

RSVP Acceptance Rates by Category

CategoryAccept RateTypical Range
Immediate Family95%90-99%
Close Friends85%80-90%
Extended Family75%65-85%
Local Friends / Acquaintances65%55-75%
Out-of-Town Guests55%40-65%
Coworkers50%35-60%
Plus-Ones (unknown)60%50-70%

Factors That Affect RSVP Rates

  • Day of week: Saturday weddings get 5-10% higher acceptance than Friday or Sunday.
  • Season: Summer and holiday weekends see more declines due to vacation conflicts.
  • Distance: Destination weddings have 20-30% lower acceptance rates than local events.
  • Notice: Save-the-dates sent 6+ months out improve acceptance rates by 5-10%.
  • Economy: During tough economic times, out-of-town and casual invitees decline more.

FAQ

What percentage of wedding guests actually attend?

On average, 70-85% of invited guests attend a local wedding. For destination weddings, expect 40-60%. The exact rate depends heavily on your guest list mix.

Should I invite more people than I can seat?

Many couples use a tiered invitation strategy — send invitations to your A-list first, then fill declined spots from a B-list. This works best with staggered RSVP deadlines.

When should the RSVP deadline be?

Set your RSVP deadline 3-4 weeks before the wedding. This gives you time to follow up with non-responders and finalize vendor headcounts. Expect to chase 15-20% of guests who forget to reply.

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