Average Number of Wedding Guests in New York Versus the United States

New York may have the most expensive weddings, but its guest lists are surprisingly average

Wedding costs largely depend on the number of guests invited. This bride and her mom disagree on the numbers and want some help.

A local bride says…
“To me, planning and spending on a wedding only makes sense if I can invite everyone on my list. Understandably, my parents are concerned about the costs. What’s the average number of invitees for a wedding?”

The Wedding Guru says…
Nebraska and Iowa brides invite an average of 200 guests — the highest average of invited guests in the country. The states with the smallest average of wedding guests are Nevada and Hawaii (70 guests). What’s especially interesting is that the states with the big-bucks weddings don’t necessarily have the longest guest lists: for instance, the average number of guests at a wedding in pricey Manhattan comes in at 140 — which is the same as the average for the entire country.

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When deciding on your guest list, follow the adage of “quality not quantity.” A fun fact: the photographers I’ve worked with are reluctant to take table photos. Want to know why? Because after a year’s time, many of the guests are no longer acquainted with the bridal couple. So make your selection carefully!

Got more questions? Write to me at judy@hvmag.com

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