How to Collect RSVPs with a Waitlist and Guest Counts
This guide sets up a capped RSVP event - a fixed number of spots, attendees who can bring guests, and an automatic waitlist once you're full. Everything here is available on the Free plan.
Step 1: Create the Event
Create the event with its date, venue, and description. See Create Your First Event if this is your first event.
Step 2: Set Capacity and RSVP Options
In the event editor, set a Capacity (leave blank for unlimited). Then configure the site-wide RSVP behavior at Eventonomy → Settings → RSVP:
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Default attendee capacity | The capacity new events start with, if you don't set one per event. |
| Max additional guests per RSVP | How many extra people (the "+guests") an attendee can bring. Each one counts toward capacity. |
| RSVP deadline | Closes RSVPs a set number of hours before the event starts. |
| Waitlist when full | Turns on automatic waitlisting once capacity is reached. |
| Show remaining spots | Displays "5 spots left" on cards and the RSVP block. |
Attendees can respond Going, Maybe, or No - only Going counts toward your capacity. Full field reference in RSVP Settings.
Step 3: Add Custom RSVP Questions (Optional)
If you need more than a name and a headcount - dietary requirements, T-shirt size, accessibility needs - turn on Custom questions at Eventonomy → Settings → Questions and add short-text, paragraph, dropdown, or checkbox questions. Mark any of them Required to force an answer before the RSVP submits. See Questions Settings.
Step 4: Place the RSVP Block
Add the RSVP block to your single-event template, below the Single Event block. It detects the current event automatically and renders the going/maybe/no form, guest-count field, and any custom questions you've added.
How the Waitlist Works
Once Waitlist when full is on and capacity is reached, further Going RSVPs are placed on the waitlist automatically instead of being rejected. When a confirmed attendee cancels or changes their RSVP to No, the oldest waitlisted RSVP is promoted to Going automatically and notified - no manual intervention needed.
Guest RSVPs and Magic Links
Attendees don't need a WordPress account to RSVP. A guest supplies their name and email, and Eventonomy emails them a magic link - valid for 7 days - that lets them view, change, or cancel their RSVP without logging in. Enable this at Settings → RSVP → Allow guests to RSVP without an account (or require login instead if you want RSVPs tied to member accounts only).
Next Steps
- RSVPs - the full RSVP reference, including statuses and party size.
- RSVP Settings - capacity, deadlines, guests, and waitlist configuration.
- Questions Settings - adding and reordering custom registration questions.