Planning Guide
How to Organise a House Party
Step-by-step guide to organising a house party. Covers planning, guest lists, catering numbers, and RSVPs — with free tools included.
Hosting your first house party? Or trying to avoid the chaos of last time when twice as many people showed up? This guide walks through everything from setting your guest list to getting accurate headcounts — with practical tips from hosts who've learned the hard way.
Before you invite anyone, decide what kind of party you're throwing. A casual drinks night is very different from a sit-down dinner party. Your format determines how many people you can handle, what food to prep, and how much space you need.
Choose your party type
Dinner party (8-12 people, seated)? Cocktail party (20-30, standing)? Game night (6-10, needs table space)? Pool party (depends on pool size)? Each has different space and catering requirements.
Set a realistic capacity
Count your actual seating, standing room, and bathroom access. A good rule: if you have one bathroom, cap at 15 guests. Two bathrooms, up to 30. Nothing kills a party like bathroom queues.
Decide on plus-ones upfront
Will you allow plus-ones? If yes, for everyone or just couples? Plus-ones can double your headcount — decide the policy before you send invites, not when someone asks.
Consider parking and neighbours
How many cars can your street handle? If parking is tight, you need exact numbers or you'll have guests circling the block. Also factor in noise — late-night parties in quiet neighbourhoods need smaller guest lists.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop people bringing uninvited plus-ones?
Be explicit in your invite: "Space is limited, please RSVP for yourself and confirm any plus-ones in advance." Use Who's In to set capacity limits — when you hit your limit, the RSVP closes automatically. If someone asks on the day, politely say you've already catered to capacity.
How much food and drink should I buy for a house party?
It depends on your final RSVP count — which is why you need RSVPs. For drinks: 2-3 per person in hour one, then 1 per hour. For finger food: 6-8 pieces per person for a 3-hour party. For a dinner party: obviously you need exact numbers. Always buy 10% extra for safety.
What if more people show up than RSVP'd?
Set a clear capacity limit and close RSVPs when you hit it. If someone shows up without RSVPing, it's awkward for everyone. Who's In shows a "Full" message when capacity is reached, which prevents this. If you have a waitlist, you can let people in if others cancel.
How do I handle parking when I don't have enough space?
Know your exact headcount (RSVPs), then calculate parking. Include clear parking instructions in your invite: nearby street parking, public transport options, or suggest carpooling. For big parties, some hosts ask guests to park at a nearby car park and walk.
What's the best way to manage house party RSVPs?
Who's In is built for this. It's free, guests RSVP with one tap (no app needed), you can set capacity limits and manage plus-ones, and it sends automatic 48-hour reminders. Way better than tracking RSVPs in a messy WhatsApp thread or spreadsheet.
Related Planning Guide guides
Ready to collect RSVPs for your House Party events?
Who's In is free, takes 2 minutes to set up, and requires no app download for attendees.
