How Many Wedding Invitations Do I Need for 200 Guests?

When you’re planning a wedding for 200 guests, the question isn’t just wedding invitations-it’s how many you actually need to send out. It sounds simple, but too many couples end up short, over-ordering, or scrambling last minute because they didn’t account for the little things. Here’s how to get it right the first time.

Start with your guest list

You think you have 200 guests. But are they all individuals? Are there couples? Kids? Plus-ones? The number on your list isn’t the same as the number of invitations you need. Each invitation goes to a household or unit, not each person. So if you’re inviting 80 couples, that’s 80 invitations, not 160. If you’re inviting 30 single guests and 10 families with two kids each, that’s 30 + 10 = 40 invitations. You’re not sending one per person-you’re sending one per household or unit receiving the invitation.

Count the units, not the people

Break your guest list into categories:

• Individuals: Single people living alone-1 invitation each.
• Couples: Married, engaged, or dating partners living together-1 invitation per couple.
• Families: Parents + children living under one roof-1 invitation per family, even if you’re inviting the kids.
• Plus-ones: If you’re allowing guests to bring someone, count them as part of the unit. So a single guest with a plus-one = 1 invitation.

So if your list has:

• 60 single guests
• 70 couples
• 15 families (each with 2 kids)
• 10 guests with plus-ones

You don’t add up 60 + 140 + 45 + 20. You add up the invitations: 60 + 70 + 15 + 10 = 155 invitations.

Why you need extra invitations

You might think 155 is enough. But you’re not done. You need buffer. Why? Because things happen.

• One guest loses their invitation.
• Your aunt’s handwriting is messy, and the address gets smudged.
• You forgot to invite your cousin’s partner, and now you need to send a last-minute one.
• Your printer jams. Or the post office misdelivers.
• You decide to add a few more people after the RSVP deadline.

Most wedding planners recommend ordering 10-15% extra. For 155 invitations, that’s 15-23 extras. So you order 170-180. That gives you room for errors, last-minute changes, and keeps you from panicking when someone says, “I didn’t get mine.”

What about RSVP cards?

RSVP cards are part of the invitation set. You don’t need extra cards unless you’re sending a separate follow-up. But you do need to track responses. If you send 180 invitations and get back 160 RSVPs, you still have 20 extra invitations on hand. That’s fine. You’ll use them if someone calls and says, “I never got mine.”

Pro tip: If you’re using digital RSVPs, still include a physical card in the envelope. Not everyone checks email, and older guests prefer paper. The card says, “Please RSVP by [date] at [website] or reply card below.” That covers both worlds.

When you’re inviting children

Some couples invite kids. Others don’t. If you’re inviting children, you still send one invitation per family. You don’t send one per child. But you should list the children’s names on the inner envelope. So: “Mr. and Mrs. Tan and family” or “Mr. and Mrs. Tan, Emily, and Lucas.” That way, everyone knows who’s invited. It also helps with seating.

Don’t send separate invitations for toddlers. It’s unnecessary, expensive, and confusing. One invitation per household is standard-even if that household includes three kids under five.

What about destination weddings or non-local guests?

If you’re having a wedding in Bali and your guests are flying from Melbourne, Sydney, or overseas, you still send one invitation per household. But you might want to send a second, simpler card with travel details. That’s not an invitation-it’s a supplement. The official invitation still goes to the household. Don’t count the travel card as a second invitation.

When to order

Order your invitations at least 3-4 months before your wedding. That gives you time for:

• Proofing and revisions
• Printing and shipping (especially if you’re ordering from overseas)
• Mail time (Australia Post can take 5-7 days for regional areas)
• Buffer for mistakes

Send them out 8-10 weeks before the wedding. That gives guests time to book travel, take time off work, and respond. If you’re sending them out too early, people forget. Too late, and they panic.

What if you run out?

If you’ve sent out 170 invitations and still have 10 guests who haven’t responded, and you realize you forgot someone, you can still print a few more. Many stationers offer small-run printing. Or you can handwrite a note on nice cardstock, seal it in an envelope, and mail it. It’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world. People understand. Just make sure the handwriting is legible.

Final count for 200 guests

Let’s say your 200 guests break down like this:

• 90 single guests
• 55 couples
• 15 families (with kids)
• 20 guests with plus-ones

Total invitations needed: 90 + 55 + 15 + 20 = 180.

Add 10% buffer: 180 + 18 = 198.

Round up to 200. Order 200 invitations.

That’s it. You’re covered. You’ve accounted for every household, every possible error, every last-minute change. You won’t be calling your stationer at 11 p.m. the night before the wedding because you’re three invitations short.

What you don’t need to worry about

You don’t need an invitation for:

• Wedding party members (they’re invited verbally or via email)
• Vendors (they get a separate note or contract)
• Children under 2 if they’re not being seated or fed
• People you’re inviting to the reception only (if different from the ceremony)

And you definitely don’t need to send one to your neighbor who said, “I’ll come if I can.” If they haven’t RSVP’d by the deadline, they’re not coming. Don’t waste money on them.

Bottom line

For 200 guests, you don’t need 200 invitations. You need the number of households or units you’re inviting-plus 10-15% extra. Most couples end up ordering between 190 and 210 invitations for a 200-person guest list. It’s not about the headcount. It’s about the units. And a little extra peace of mind.