How many people should you prepare for?

Count households, not names. Then apply the turn-out factor — “I'm coming” is not a number.

Nothing to answer to yet

Every decision here should serve a decision you have not made yet. Create the experience first.

Saved to your celebration

Plan for the real number, then design what guests experience before, during and after.

Output: Guest Experience Map

You are ready to move forward when: Who is coming · how many to prepare for · arrival · welcome · seating · departure.

What experienced planners know here

“Use RSVPs for seating and thank-you notes. Use the attendance rate for catering. They are different jobs.”

From the Playbook

Turn-out factor

0.86 · 1.05 · 1.18

diaspora · mixed · continent

Walk-ins

Always add a margin

more people will come than you invited

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