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The Guest List

The Guest List

Plan the dinner around confirmed seats.

For a dinner party, set the RSVP deadline before shopping, booking or confirming food. Ask for a definite attendance response and give guests a private way to discuss dietary or accessibility needs.

Start with the table, not the invitation

List the seats you can actually offer and whether additional guests can be accommodated. If the dinner is at a restaurant, check its booking and cancellation terms before promising flexibility. An unanswered invitation is not a confirmed seat.

Choose a response deadline by working backward from the earliest decision that needs a headcount. Leave time to follow up rather than asking for replies at the moment you must place the order.

  • Clarify whether the invitation includes a partner.
  • State the arrival time and approximate meal time.
  • Explain shared costs, if any, before guests agree.
  • Provide a direct contact for personal requirements.

Dinner invitation wording

A short invitation can still make the guest’s next step obvious. Do not ask people to disclose medical details in a public comment or shared guest list.

Join us for dinner at [venue] on [date], arriving at [time]. Please RSVP at [link] by [deadline] so we can confirm the table and food. The invitation is for [names/party size]. For dietary or access questions, contact [host] privately.

When plans change

Give one host responsibility for reconciling cancellations. If a seat becomes available, confirm with a replacement guest before treating it as filled. Tell co-hosts where to find the latest list instead of maintaining several chat-based counts.

Guest List can keep the invitation and RSVP process together. Its free allowance is 50 attending guests per event; larger dinners require Pro. The tool does not replace checking food arrangements with the people preparing or serving the meal.