Guests within 1-2 hours driving distance
Guests requiring flights or 3+ hour drives
Average is $150-300 per guest
Check if your guest list fits
Wedding Guest Statistics
- Average wedding has 131 guests
- Local guest attendance: 85%
- Out-of-town attendance: 55%
- Destination wedding attendance: 35%
- Average cost per guest: $150-300
- Intimate weddings (under 50): 95% attendance
Frequently Asked Questions
Our calculator uses industry-standard attendance rates based on thousands of weddings. Local guests typically attend at 85%, out-of-town at 55%, and destination wedding guests at 35%. Your actual results may vary based on your specific relationships and circumstances.
On average, about 75-85% of invited guests attend. Local guests have the highest attendance rate (85%), while out-of-town guests attend at about 55%. For destination weddings, expect only 35% attendance. These rates help you plan accurately without over-ordering.
Yes, a B-list is perfectly acceptable! Many couples create a secondary list of guests to invite if initial guests decline. Send B-list invitations at least 6 weeks before the wedding so they don't feel like an afterthought.
Use this formula: Desired guests ÷ expected attendance rate = invitations to send. For example, if you want 100 guests and expect 80% attendance, invite 125 people (100 ÷ 0.80 = 125).
Guest count is the biggest variable in wedding costs. The average cost per guest is $150-300, covering catering, drinks, place settings, and favors. A difference of 25 guests could mean $3,750-$7,500 in savings or additional costs.