How to Build a Wedding Guest List and Collect RSVPs Online

An accurate headcount drives your budget, catering and seating chart. Phoning guests one by one or counting replies in a group chat is error-prone. Here's how to keep your guest list organised.

Group your guest list

• Family and relatives (bride's side / groom's side)
• Close friends and school friends
• Colleagues and managers
• Your parents' guests

Use an online RSVP form instead of calling

Send an RSVP link with your invitation or by message. Guests fill in whether they're coming, how many people, plus-one names and dietary needs — and it goes straight into your guest list with no retyping.

Don't forget plus-ones

One guest may bring a partner or children. Ask for every companion's name so you can seat them together and count every seat.

Work out how many tables you need

Divide your confirmed guests (including plus-ones) by seats per table — for example 230 guests ÷ 10 seats = 23 tables — then add one or two spare tables.

Set an RSVP deadline

Close RSVPs about 3–4 weeks before the wedding, and send a reminder to anyone who hasn't replied a week before the deadline.

PlannerNova's customisable RSVP form collects plus-one names automatically, notifies you when guests reply, and feeds straight into your seating chart.