RSVP Planning · · 1 min read
Build an Event Attendance Matrix for a Wedding
A single yes-or-no response is too coarse when guests are invited to different functions. An attendance matrix puts people in rows and events in columns so every supplier receives the count relevant to their work.
Choose the columns
Start with household reference and guest name, followed by haldi, mehendi, sangeet, wedding and reception as applicable. Use separate states for not invited, awaiting reply, attending and declined. A guest who was not invited to an event should not appear as an unanswered invitation.
Check a sample family
A cousin might attend the wedding and reception while their parents attend only the reception. Record the people individually or split that household's counts clearly. Adding one household-level “yes” to every function would overstate the earlier events.
Export the right view
Filter to one event before making meal, seating or transport lists. Check whether children and supplier meals need their own totals. Keep the master matrix with the host, and give helpers a limited view. After a late change, refresh every affected event rather than editing only the headline guest total. The matrix works on paper too if one person owns updates.