How to estimate #/guests?

[miss di]

I know this seems like a totally ridiculous question but my FI and I are trying to figure out what to do here...

 

Our list is at 65 people that will receive a STD...we can pretty much whittle it down to 35 people who would probably attend.

 

We are just scared that some people might surprise us and actually RSVP yes! On the flip side, we think that some would surprise us if they didn't show up...although there have been a bunch of baby bumps popping up left and right, so you never know.

 

My question to you guys is: do you think it would be tacky to send an email to those 65...almost like a "pre-STD" so we'll have a better idea to help to determine what route to take (10+ bedroom villa vs. small hotel, etc...)

 

Thanks!

[Bunsie3]

I do not think that is tacky at all. I think your guests will understand that when planning a destination wedding you need to have an idea of how many people will attend and that it is more difficult to calculate then if it were a local wedding. We called our guests to inquire how many thought they would be able to make it

[YoursTruly]

we too, did a mixture of calls and an email. Or you can send a pre-STD with your wedding website if you have one. usually there is an opton to send stuff like that with the services. best of luck planning!!

[Celina]

I would send out your STD's as soon as possible. This will get people talking about it. When we sent out our STD's it was 15 months before the wedding. We had our information ready to go. Our STD's included a package rate for 5 or 7 days, our TA info, hotel info and dates when deposits were due and when they were to be paid off by. We also had a wedding website where people could look for up to date info.

 

After people know how much it will cost they will know whether or not they are going. We sent out around 75 STD's (150 people) and had total 32 people attend in Mexico. Keep in contact with your TA and they will tell you who has inquired. The sooner you do this the better.

 

I had people who I thought were going to go - not go, and people I didn't expect to go - go. SO IMO - get the info out as soon as possible. I say you should decide on a venue sooner rather than later.

 

Weddings book fast and your date may not be available. Also, many of the villas, etc., are booked up to a year in advance.

[Can'tHardlyWait]

I think you can definitely do a pre-std email or phone call, but take what people tell you with a grain of salt. For our May 2008 wedidng, we sent out pre-STD emails in June 2007, STD in August 2007, and invitations in February 2008. For the most part, we knew who was and wasn't coming by mid-november 2007, but there were definitely a few "surprise" ... I would say about 10 people showed up that I didn't expect, and 3 people that said they would go after they received the STD but replied "no" to the wedding invitation. All in all, we sent out invitations to 175 people and 115 showed up.

[Mishka Designs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss di I know this seems like a totally ridiculous question but my FI and I are trying to figure out what to do here... Our list is at 65 people that will receive a STD...we can pretty much whittle it down to 35 people who would probably attend. We are just scared that some people might surprise us and actually RSVP yes! On the flip side, we think that some would surprise us if they didn't show up...although there have been a bunch of baby bumps popping up left and right, so you never know. My question to you guys is: do you think it would be tacky to send an email to those 65...almost like a "pre-STD" so we'll have a better idea to help to determine what route to take (10+ bedroom villa vs. small hotel, etc...) Thanks!

Hi! I don't think it's tacky and STD's are the "norm" for a destination wedding .... I would do something cute like at Scrapblogs.com - Scrapblogs Resources and Information. or I know there are other STD internet sites that you can create something fun and in keeping with the whole wedding idea that will feel professional and like it's part of your whole wedding idea .

Here in Vallarta a "large" wedding is 80 people. A "normal" wedding is 40-60 people and a "small" wedding is around 20-30.

[KarenM]

Thanks for all the info!

I'm also trying to figure out what to do to guestimate a # so it really helps to see what everyone else has done