Spring/Summer Wedding Guest (2024)

FAQs

How many wedding guests will actually show up? ›

As a rule of thumb, you can usually expect around 75-85 percent of those invited to actually attend the wedding. Sending out save the dates six to eight months in advance will give guests time to prepare for the wedding—ultimately increasing the number of people who will attend.

Tip: Wedding attire can be tricky. In addition to providing a dress code, avoid confusion by letting your wedding guests know specifically what they should wear. For example, recommend a suit and tie for cocktail attire, or a tux, formal gown or floor-length dress if you're going for a black-tie vibe.

Floral lace and dreamy chiffon fabrics are perfect for a springtime wedding. Experiment with bright, fresh colors, or soft, dusty pastels to complete your spring wedding outfit! Add matching accessories and you'll be beaming with pride—and with style.

Semi-Formal

"From V-necks to one shoulder or a high-low hemline. Wedges or a metallic heel would [also] complete the look." What's more, if shopping for an outdoor, semi-formal summer affair, a colorful palette of yellow, green, pink, and blue are wonderful hues for guests to consider when searching for a dress.

A good rule of thumb that many wedding professionals agree on is 20%," says Nowack. "When I've attended weddings, I've seen this to be true. If a group of eight to 10 of my friends are invited to a wedding, typically a couple of them have to pass.

“However, it is never an exact science,” she said. “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.

You should make it very clear on the save the date and your wedding invitations that it is addressed to only the person or people you want to attend. If they still bring up the topic of a plus one, be polite but firm: “I'm so sorry but due to budget limitations/venue capacity, I'm afraid we can't justify plus ones.”

Ideally, the "RSVP by" date should fall three to four weeks before your wedding. Because your wedding invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks prior to the big day, guests should generally have a window of about one month to RSVP.

Arrive on Time

You should always assume a ceremony will start at the time listed on the invitation—and plan your travel accordingly, say the experts, arriving 15 to 30 minutes early. “The old adage of “'Fifteen minutes early is on time, and on time is late,' applies here,” say Van Son.

Yellow, pink, lilac, and green dresses are all great options to wear as a wedding guest. Dresses with patterns and floral designs also work well for the spring season—just be sure you aren't wearing the same color as the bride's bridal party, and of course, stay away from white! Can I wear black to a wedding?

What is the trend for wedding guests in 2024? ›

Bold prints

Prints are always in style but in 2024 expect them to go bold. Summer weddings are typically less formal and allow for fabrics that are lighter and more breathable. Make a splash with bold prints on everything from strapless gowns to maxi dresses to really get into the summer vibes.

In the spring and summer months, weddings are often scheduled during the late afternoon or early evening to capitalise on the warmer weather and longer daylight hours. This can create a more comfortable atmosphere for guests and allow for more outdoor activities during the celebration.

For summer weddings, go bold with bright colors, like greens, oranges, and pinks. This will help reflect the energy of the season and can be dressed up with statement jewelry or other accessories.

The Summer Chic dress code is elevated summer wear with a touch of elegance and style. This dress code is becoming more popular for weddings. A typical Summer Chic outfit is often in light and pastel colours, and lightweight materials such as linen and cotton.

Choose a dress with a modest length, like just above the knee. Avoid low-cut or flashy dresses. If you want to show some skin, go for an off-the-shoulder, mini dress or sheer dress for a subtly sexy and classy look.

While there's no documented average no-show rate for a wedding, we've heard other outlets report that you should expect 5 to 10 percent of guests who RSVP'd yes not to attend. That figure seems a bit high to us, but there's a pretty high likelihood that at least few guests to cancel last minute on your wedding day.

Wedding guest counts can be a tricky thing and are sometimes hard to estimate. On average you can expect that 20% of your invited guests will RSVP they cannot come to your wedding. However, there are a few things that can make that percentage decrease or increase.

For destination weddings, the answer to “What percentage of invited guests attend a wedding?” drops to around 50-70%. If you invite everyone you know, the percentage of “yes's” may be less. If you're particular about who is invited, you're more likely to have a higher number of “yes” responses.

For local guests, plan for 85% of invitees attending. Don't forget to add spouses and children if they are invited! For out-of-town guests, plan on 55% of them attending. However, if most of them are close family who may go the distance to make it, your estimate could be higher—as high as 85%.