WedPlanner

Wedding guest list manager

Group guests by household (one invitation each), mark A- and B-list, and track replies and meal choices as they come in. Confirmed guests flow straight into the seating chart.

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invited
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attending
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declined
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awaiting reply
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likely headcount at % of pending

Your list is empty. Add your first household, or import a CSV with a “Guest” column (and optionally “Household”).

How to build a wedding guest list you can actually afford

Your guest count sets the venue size, the catering bill and the number of tables, so settle it before you book anything. A workable method:

  1. Brain-dump everyone both of you and both families might invite, grouped by household.
  2. Agree a cap from your budget. Divide the total budget by a realistic cost per guest to find it.
  3. Split into A and B lists. A-list goes out first; add B-list guests as declines arrive, at least six weeks before the day.
  4. Apply rules evenly for plus-ones, children and coworkers so nobody can point to an exception.
  5. Track every reply here, including meal choices, then send confirmed guests to the seating chart.

Guest list template columns worth keeping

Household label (how the envelope is addressed), each guest’s name, side, A/B list, mailing address, email, RSVP status, meal choice, child or adult, dietary notes, and gift received (for thank-you cards). The CSV export includes all of these so it opens cleanly in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets.

Questions couples ask

How do we decide who makes the guest list?

Agree the total first, then split it between the couple and each family. Build an A-list of people you can’t imagine the day without and a B-list you invite as A-list regrets come in, sent early enough that nobody feels like a late addition.

What percentage of invited guests usually attend?

Planners commonly estimate that 75–85% of invited guests attend a local wedding, and fewer for destination weddings. Treat this as a rule of thumb and track your real RSVP rate here.

Should we give everyone a plus-one?

A common approach is plus-ones for married, engaged and long-term partners, and for guests who won’t know anyone else. Whatever you choose, apply it consistently.

When is the RSVP deadline?

Usually three to four weeks before the wedding. Your caterer typically needs final numbers 10–14 days out and the seating chart needs a few days after that.

How do we follow up with guests who haven’t replied?

Filter to “Awaiting reply” the day after your deadline and send a short personal message or call. It is normal for a fifth of guests to need a nudge.

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