Guest List Calculator — Expected Attendance

For casual parties, expect 70-80% attendance. Formal events see 75-85%. Weddings typically get 80-90%. Kids parties have the highest rate at 85-95%. Corporate events are lower at 60-70%. These rates vary by time of year, day of week, and how far in advance you invite.

Local guests (within 30 minutes drive) attend at 10-15% higher rates than distant guests. For weddings with many out-of-town guests, expect 15-20% lower attendance from those travelling. Providing accommodation information helps increase distant guest attendance.

Send formal event invitations 6-8 weeks in advance. Wedding invites go out 8-12 weeks ahead. Casual party invites need 2-4 weeks notice. Save-the-dates for weddings should go out 6-9 months in advance. Giving more notice increases attendance rates.

Yes, if you need exactly 50 guests, invite 60-65 for a casual party or 55-60 for a wedding. This accounts for typical decline rates. Some people also send a B-list of invites once early declines come in, though this is controversial for weddings.