Party Budget Calculator
Enter your expected attendance, what you plan to spend per head on food and drink, and fixed extras. The calculator totals the party, shows the per-guest figure, and hands you the invite-list number that accounts for no-shows.
Party-planning sites sell themes. This one prices the arithmetic: the two-thirds food-and-drink share, the 1.5x RSVP rule, and where a potluck moves the money instead of removing it.
How to use
- Enter expected guests - attendees, not invitees; the invite figure is an output.
- Price food and drink per head honestly from your last shop or venue menu.
- Add fixed extras - decorations, playlist speakers, a cleaning service - and read the total against your comfort.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a party cost per guest?
Casual home parties run 15-30 per guest with food and drink; dinner parties 40+. The budget's shape matters more than its size: food and drink take about two-thirds, and everything else is staging.
How many people should I invite versus expect?
Invite half again as many as you can host for a casual party - about two-thirds accept, and a third of acceptances flake on the day. Seated dinners are the exception: there, every yes claims a chair, so invite exactly the table.
Does a potluck actually save money?
It moves the money more than it removes it: guests cover sides and desserts, but the host still owns drinks, the main and coordination - which is the hidden cost. Best value: one made signature dish, one drink, bought everything else.
How far in advance should I plan a party?
Three weeks for invitations to breathe and two days for shopping and make-ahead cooking. The prep-time rule: anything cooked doubles its estimate, and nothing new gets cooked the day of - the day belongs to the guests.