Post # 1
Member
1870 posts
Buzzing bee
Hello everyone,
I need your help!!! I just got engaged and my fiance are trying to nail down a venue for next June. The only problem we are having is that we need to invite about 350 people and most of the venues we like only hold up to 250 for seated dinners.
I am also concerned becuase the more people we invite, the more expensive the wedding will be!!!
Our wedding is in Dallas, TX and out families are from Illinois and Houston so about 60% of guests will be commuting.
Should I book a venue that holds 250 or find one that holds 300 just on the off chance that most everyone comes?
Also, I do not want to get married in a ballroom but if you know of any cool venues in Dallas, TX (not addison, plano, etc) I would really appreciate suggestions!
thanks so much!
Sara
Post # 3
Member
221 posts
Helper bee
I think the rule of thumb is 70-75% actually show up. I’ll find out later if mine will be the same as I’m in the same predicament (inviting 400…hoping less than 300 RSVP).
My cousin got married a month or so ago and she said she invited 160 and only 120 RSVP’d…which is right at the 75% mark.
Post # 4
Member
2600 posts
Sugar bee
Every wedding is different. I’ve coordinated a few hundred and they’ve all been different.
Mine was about 60%, I’ve had weddings with everything from 40% – 95%.
If I were you I would look for a larger venue, because even if you come in at 250, if that’s their maximum the room may feel cramped. Check with them to see how the room would be set, how many at each table, and where the bars would be at their maximum.
Good luck!
Post # 5
Member
907 posts
Busy bee
300! Better to be safe than sorry.
Post # 6
Member
7587 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I had 80% of people come.
Post # 7
Member
646 posts
Busy bee
I’ve always heard 80-85% will come. And to never invite more than your venue will hold, just in case! (Also, full venues are cramped venues!)
Post # 8
Member
1870 posts
Buzzing bee
Thank you for your comments! Another thing that I can stop thinking about is that neither of us are close to our extended families so its hard for me to think that they would all travel for our wedding, espcecially out of state!
I will continue to research and maybe cut down the list a little bit. I’d prefer everyone leave their kids at home anyway.:)
Post # 9
Member
369 posts
Helper bee
Sometimes venues have space available above their maximum… by that I mean, we saw several that hold 200 BUT could have tents attached etc to make more space if needed. Our venue how holds 200 and we invited 230…still waiting on all the RSVPs but looks like we’ll be at about 70%.
Post # 10
Member
1359 posts
Bumble bee
I had 160 respond yes out of 188 invited. Don’t over invite and bank on people not coming..you’ll be screwed if more people say yes than say no!
Post # 11
Member
31 posts
Newbee
I live somewhat close to the Dallas area and this website (even though not in recent operation anymore) really helped me out with venues, dresses, decorations, everything: http://www.idodallas.com – click on vendors and see all the lists this lady put together – amazing!
I also just had to chop my guest list down and I found an old City Hall building nearby for $200 for the entire day! It only holds 150 people, but maybe some local city hall officials can direct you if there is anything like that around you?
And as far as the guest list goes, I am inviting my family and friends from California, and according to my research onlilne, it seems out of state guests have a more dramatic percentage drop versus local and out of towners, do. I think it was around 60% of out of state guests usually attend versus around 70% for in state out of towners and 80% for the locals.
My fiance has family in San Antonio and he just called them all to see whether or not they would be making any effort to come (he worded it better than that) and almost all of them said they will not be able to make it, so not to worry about even inviting them, but they are happy for him. That gets tricky when you are inviting over 250 people, but when you have about 50 families and about 20 are out of town, it helps with the planning process. By the way, I would only do this with family! 🙂
Hope that helps!
Post # 12
Member
699 posts
Busy bee
Our main reception (Toronto), went like this:
Save the Dates to approx 120 people
Responses after that cut the list to about 95
Actually coming currently stands at 70, plus 2 who cannot 100% commit yet.
= 72/120 = 60%
Vancouver:
Save the Dates to approx 95
Responses led to approx 80
Actually coming 62
= 62/95 = 65%
Very few are coming from a long way out of town either… it’s why there’s two. Maybe 6 guests at each.
Post # 13
Member
624 posts
Busy bee
I’m glad someone asked this becuase I just met with the hall today and he was very positive that at least 20% wouldn’t show. I’m looking at the list thinking… Who’s not going to show?? As much as I want people there I also hope that some don’t show becuase of the space and money issue.
Post # 14
Member
15 posts
Newbee
We got about 70% for a wedding that was out of town for most people. Dallas is also pretty easy/cheap to fly into, so I wouldn’t count too many people out…
Post # 15
Member
1113 posts
Bumble bee
@TxsAggieBride: Any word on how mnay RSVPed to your wedding? We have a venue that can only seat 300, but we are inviting a little over 400.
