When you’re planning your wedding, you’ll hear me talk about two very different numbers: household count vs guest count. And while they might sound similar, they each play a very different role in your wedding branding and stationery. Let’s spill the tea so you know exactly why I ask for both.

01 Household Count
02 Guest Count
03 Example
04 Takeaway

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Household Count = Invitations & Save the Dates ✉️

Think of your household count as the number of mailboxes your wedding stationery needs to reach.

Here’s why:

• A household is everyone living at the same address.
• So, your cousin, her husband, and their two kids? That’s one household (aka, one envelope).
• Your single college friend who lives alone? That’s also one household (and one envelope).

💡 This number is almost always smaller than your total guest count. That’s because multiple guests can live under one roof, but you only need one invitation per household.

👉 Why it matters: Your household count is what determines how many Save the Dates and invitations I design, print, and prep for mailing.

Guest Count = Day-of Wedding Branding 🥂

Your guest count is your total headcount—every single person attending your wedding.

Here’s why this number is important:

• Every guest needs a seat.
• Every guest needs a place card (or escort card, or seating chart spot).
• Every guest needs a menu
• Items like frosted cups and custom wedding napkins are ordered in quantities based on guest count, Each guest typically gets 2-3 of these for their guest experience.

💡 This number is always bigger than your household count. Even though three people might live in one household, they’ll each need their own seat and place card at your wedding.

👉 Why it matters: Your guest count drives how many day-of items we design and produce.

Quick Example: Household count vs guest count 🖤

Household Count: 125 (125 mailboxes getting invitations)

Guest Count: 185 (185 people showing up to celebrate)

You’ll order 125 invitations but may need 185 menus, escort cards, or seats on your seating chart.

Your design service proposal will depend on what these numbers are, specific to your wedding!

The Takeaway 💌

Household Count = How many invitations you’ll mail.

Guest Count = How many guests will need day-of details.

Both numbers are equally important in wedding branding, because they ensure your stationery and day-of details are perfectly tailored to your guest experience—without over-ordering (or under-ordering).

When you’re working with me, I’ll guide you through tracking both numbers so we stay on time, on budget, and on brand. BTW, some couples aren’t sure of how many household they are mailing to but have an approximate number of guests they’d like to invite to their wedding. If that’s the case, that is totally cool! I can base your proposal on a suggested minimum household count as a starting point. If you need to increase after booking, we will just adjust the remaining balance on your invoice, no problem!✨

LET’S WORK TOGETHER!

Ready to work together and create your wedding wonderland of creative visuals? Start with my inquiry form. From there, we’ll talk timelines, your vision, and how to create wedding branding so you it couldn’t possibly belong to anyone else.