How many guests are typically invited to each size wedding? These numbers may vary a little depending on who you're speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees.
Typically, a guestlist of 75 to 150 people is considered an "average" wedding size.
A general rule of thumb is that the guest list is split between the couple and both sets of parents. So if your guest list is 100 people, you and your partner would invite 50 people, and each set of parents would get to invite 25.
Small wedding: Less than 50 guests. “That number can fit comfortably in a backyard with 6 or so tables,” she says. Tiny wedding: 15 people or less. (You might also see “minimony” or “micro wedding” used to describe a wedding of this size.)
Small weddings can range in size, but typically include around 20-80 people and are just as special — and potentially a lot less expensive — than a large celebration.
These numbers may vary a little depending on who you're speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees.
With traditional weddings at 150-250 guests, small weddings are often considered 75-125.
A micro wedding is an intimate affair, typically with no more than 50 guests. They still feature time-honored traditions that make a wedding but on a much smaller scale. Sounds good to us!
The number of bridesmaids selected for a bridal party, is very much down to the size of the wedding. For instance, a small wedding of up to 100 people, is unlikely to have 9 bridesmaids. But a wedding of 500+ people, may do. Typically, on average, brides tend to go for around 3-5 bridesmaids.
How many tables and chairs do you need for 100 guests? You should rent 100 chairs and 13 tables for a guest list of 100. You will also need a cake table, food tables and a table for gifts. The average table will accommodate 6-8 chairs, 100 guests divided by 8 (guests per table) is 12.5 tables.
“A general overall percentage between 75-85 percent of wedding guests usually attend.” The breakdown: 85 percent of local guests, 55 percent of out-of-town guests, and 35 percent of destination wedding guests will show up, Buckley said. But then it gets murky.
This may include immediate family members, close friends, and important mentors, as well as their plus-ones and/or children. When planning an intimate wedding, don't feel pressured to invite acquaintances, neighbors, distant relatives, people you barely know, etc.
Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding, but that custom is rapidly changing. Couples are increasingly choosing to handle at least half of the wedding expenses on their own. Early planning and a written budget can help avoid miscommunication when deciding who pays for what.
But don't feel pressure to ask every one of your friends to be in your bridal party. According to The Knot 2021 Real Weddings Study, the average wedding party size is roughly four on either side, so you can use that as a guide when you decide how many bridesmaids to have. Depending on formality, go larger or smaller.
Tell key people.
Explain why you're not inviting any non-family—whether it's because of the pandemic, a limited budget, your preference for a small wedding, your dislike of being the center of attention, or some other personal reason. A true friend will support your decision and not feel slighted.
Wedding costs in 2022
The average wedding held in 2022, including both the ceremony and reception, cost $30,000, according to The Knot. That's the most couples have spent since 2018 ($33,931), before COVID-19. It's also $2,000 more than the 2021 average, which totaled $28,000 for the ceremony and reception.
Small weddings are becoming increasingly popular. Some couples might have a small wedding to reduce their expenses while others only want to share the day with those who are most important to them. Unfortunately, when you opt for a small wedding, you may have to say “no” to people you like.
A micro wedding typically does not include a full reception with music, dancing and bouquet tosses. Because micro weddings are so intimate, many couples choose to spend the after-ceremony time chatting with guests.
A Micro Wedding involves up to a maximum of about 20 guests, usually including close family members and a select few friends. This is different from an elopement, which involves only the couple and wedding official.
And your location, location, location. Couples, on average, invite about105 guests to their wedding, according to a 2021 survey conducted by The Knot. So 105 is a good ballpark, but don't expect every single person to make it to your ceremony. More like 70-85%.
Disadvantages of Small Weddings
Since the task of creating a smaller guest list can be very stressful, conflicts can arise between the bride and groom, each of whom may have small or large families or circles of friends they're having trouble whittling down.
For closer friends and family, you may want to consider going to $200, or higher if you can afford it. For others, $100 to $150 is more than okay as a wedding gift amount.
A recent survey found the average person was invited to four wedding this year. The average person was expected to spend $3,000 as a wedding guest.