The average US wedding hosts around 130 guests, and every single one adds to the bottom line. Catering alone runs $150 to $280 per person depending on venue type and location. One partner tracks names in a spreadsheet, the other keeps notes in a messaging app, and the parents have their own list on paper. Before long, nobody knows which version is up to date.

When you register guests in Pudding, the data you enter once automatically flows through invitations, RSVP, guest book check-in, and settlement.

Registering Guests

When starting your guest list, you don't need to have everyone's contact info ready.

Just the name and category is enough to get started. You can add the rest later.

There are 4 fields to fill in when registering a guest.

You can also register plus-ones at the same time. They are managed as "John Smith + 1 guest" and automatically factored into catering cost estimates.

Even for parents' acquaintances without contact info, go ahead and register them with just their name and category. You can update the details later.

Editing Registered Guests

You can update guest information at any time if something was entered incorrectly or details have changed. Click the guest's row in the list to open the edit modal. Use the menu on the right side of the row to delete.

Guests who already have a gift recorded cannot be deleted. Once a guest confirms their plus-one count via RSVP, update it here. Estimated catering costs will be recalculated automatically.

Filters and Partner Sync

Once your list exceeds 100 people, filters are essential. You can combine filters by category (bride's family, groom's family, mutual friends, colleagues), relationship, attendance status, plus-ones, and name search to see exactly the guests you need.

Setting something like "Groom's family + Coworker + No response" lets you quickly narrow down who needs a reminder.

Invite your partner to manage the full guest list in one place. Select the partner invite option from the profile menu in the upper right, then enter your partner's email or share an invite link. Once your partner accepts, both lists are merged and when one person adds or edits something, it is reflected for the other instantly.

Spreadsheet: Two file versions exist. "Which one is current?" Confusion.
Pudding: One list, real-time sync. You both see the same numbers.

Check Expected Attendance on the Dashboard

Once guests are registered, the dashboard shows total guests, expected attendance, total attendees (including plus-ones), and estimated total cost at a glance.

Default attendance rates by relationship are: family and wedding party 100%, relatives 90%, close friends 85 to 90%, coworkers 80%, and casual friends or acquaintances 60 to 70%.

With the average cost per guest ranging from $150 to $280, even a difference of 10 guests can shift your budget by $1,500 to $2,800. Accurate attendance predictions help you avoid overpaying for empty seats or scrambling for extra place settings.

You can adjust attendance rates to match your situation. Increase the rate for groups you are especially close to, and lower it for acquaintances you have not been in touch with for a while. Adjusting these improves prediction accuracy.

Customizing Default Attendance and Cost Estimates

You can adjust the defaults for each relationship type in the settings on the right side of the dashboard. Enter your expected attendance percentage and average cost per guest for each relationship, and all predictions are instantly recalculated. Experiment with different values to land on realistic numbers for your venue and budget.

Your Guest List Automatically Connects to Invitations, Check-In, and Settlement

Once registered, your data is reused at every stage. No need to re-enter anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Guest Management Checklist

Done with Spreadsheet Guest Lists