Every wedding planner and every family asks the same question: "How many gift bags do I actually need?" Order too few and you're scrambling on the wedding day — someone important didn't get a bag. Order too many and you've spent money you didn't need to. Here's the exact formula we give to every customer who calls us.

The Simple Formula

So for a 400-guest wedding, order 460 bags (400 × 1.15 = 460). Round up to the nearest 50 for easy ordering — in this case, 500 bags.

But Wait — "Guest Count" Is More Complicated Than You Think

Indian weddings have a particular challenge: the guest list is fluid right up to the day. The "200 guests" your mother counted in January often becomes 240 by the wedding week. And then there are these common situations:

• Couples attending together: Do you give one bag per person or one bag per couple? Most families give one per person (or one per family unit). Decide this early — it affects your quantity significantly.
• Children: Children at Indian weddings are almost always counted. If 20% of your guests are children, factor them in unless you explicitly decide not to give children bags.
• Staff and helpers: Caterers, photographers, DJ, decoration team — many families give them bags too. Add 20–30 bags specifically for this.
• Out-of-town guests who extend their stay: If your baraati stays for lunch the next day, are they getting another bag? Usually not, but sometimes the family gives a second gift. Know this in advance.

Quick Reference Table by Wedding Size

If You Have Multiple Wedding Events

Most Indian weddings involve 2–4 events: Mehndi, Haldi, Sangeet, and the wedding itself. Return gifts aren't always given at every event, but many families choose to give at least a small token at each one. Here's a common approach:

• Mehndi / Haldi: Small bags (Size S or XS) with 3–5 sweets or a kum-kum set. Budget 50–100 bags for close family guests at these intimate events.
• Sangeet: If it's a large event, organza bags with chocolates. Same quantity as your Sangeet guest count.
• Main wedding: The main return gift bags. Use the full formula above.

If you're ordering for all events at once from DMS Retail, mention this upfront. You'll likely qualify for a higher volume price bracket which brings the per-piece cost down.

What to Do If You're Already Short — The Day-Before Panic

If you've realised you're 50–100 bags short the day before the wedding, WhatsApp us immediately. We can often dispatch an emergency order the same day if you call before noon. Delivery to most major cities takes 1–2 days via Blue Dart. For weddings more than 3 days away, you're absolutely fine.

We've handled day-before requests before — it's not our favourite situation either, but we make it work. Don't wait and hope; call us the moment you realise.