How Many Wedding Guests Should You Invite?
Estimate your actual guest count from invitation list. Account for decline rates by relationship, distance, and event type.
India
Indian weddings: 200-500+ guests normal! Per guest: ₹2,000-8,000। 400 to 250 guests: ₹3-12 lakh savings। 10-15% wont attend (RSVP rare in India — assume everyone comes!)। Intimate weddings (50-100): growing trend post-COVID।
Reality
Indian families: parents invite 60-70% of guest list। Budget accordingly. Guest count is THE biggest budget lever।
The B-list strategy: Send A-list invitations first (10-12 weeks out). As declines come in, send B-list invitations (6-8 weeks out). This maximizes attendance without overcommitting on catering. Most wedding planners recommend this approach, though it requires careful timing and discretion.
