The caterer wants a number, not a story. Yet each guest may bring a plus-one, two kids, and a gluten-free diet. If that data lives in three WhatsApp threads, you lose a plate on the day.
Fields to collect at RSVP
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Full name of everyone in the household
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Plus-one allowed or not (decide upfront)
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Children: age or kids' vs adult menu
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Diets: vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, allergies
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Free note for caterer (e.g. peanut)
Caterer summary
Export a table: adults / children / special diets.
Watch undeclared plus-ones who show up anyway (buffer 2–3 covers).
Review at D-14: diets sometimes change after the first reply.