read your contracts...a cautionary tale

bridalmarch

First off, I know this situation is completely my fault. That said, I'd appreciate any reassurance or advice you guys have to give. 

We're getting married on March 16th. When I was doing our invites, I made our RSVP date February 22 because I thought our venue contract said final head count was due two weeks prior (March 2) and that would give me a whole week to track down any missing replies. 

Turns out, it's due 14 BUSINESS days prior (February 26), which gives me four days. Feb. 22 is a Friday, so I'm hoping envelopes sent that day will arrive by Monday, but I'm just afraid I'm going to get a lot of late replies after I turn in the head count. 

We invited 202 and have between 60-70 replies back so far. Envelopes come every day, so I'm really really hoping it won't be a huge issue? 

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_read-your-contractsa-cautionary-tale?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:ddb00bc3-3ece-48b0-9055-f79a231aff07Post:9036f2f1-a629-4da4-b290-484f2a769ed5">read your contracts...a cautionary tale</a>:
[QUOTE]First off, I know this situation is completely my fault. That said, I'd appreciate any reassurance or advice you guys have to give.  We're getting married on March 16th. When I was doing our invites, I made our RSVP date February 22 because I thought our venue contract said final head count was due two weeks prior (March 2) and that would give me a whole week to track down any missing replies.  Turns out, it's due 14 BUSINESS days prior (February 26), which gives me four days. Feb. 22 is a Friday, so I'm hoping envelopes sent that day will arrive by Monday, but I'm just afraid I'm going to get a lot of late replies after I turn in the head count.  We invited 202 and have between 60-70 replies back so far. Envelopes come every day, so I'm really really hoping it won't be a huge issue? 
Posted by bridalmarch[/QUOTE]

If your RSVP date is Friday, February 22nd, I would just start calling everyone after the mail arrives on Saturday.  You and your Fiance might have to spend a lot of time on the phone on Saturday and Sunday, but you should still be ok.  Typically, you want to allow at least a few days after the RSVP date before you start making calls, but in this situation, I would just start calling on Saturday.

By the way, don't be surprised if you get the bulk of your RSVPs back the week of the RSVP deadline.  I got a ton of them back that week.  You may not have that many calls to make.

warpedredpenguin

That sucks, but at least you still have a small window of time. Mistakes happen, and it's a fairly minor one. I had to track down a bunch of people for my wedding, but then, ettiquette seems to have been lost in my area. Hopefully you don't have too may people to track down. When you do make phone calls, just make sure to tell people who are unsure that you need a solid yes or no by x date, or you will count them as a no and they will not be accomodated. Some people like to hem and haw, it helps to give them a solid deadline. Good luck!

mrsjmwolfe

It could be worse. Just be prepared to make tons of phone calls like PPs said. I would be stressed until the deadline but it'll be okay. You could have found out your deadline was after the headcount was due!

[Deleted User]

Don't worry too much. You have some time to make calls. And I'm sure people won't mind getting a call from you - I would take it as you being excited that they are coming to your wedding. So no harm done - just a busy few evenings for you!

lauralaur

If you're worried about annoying those who actually did put it in the mail by the requested week that haven't made it to you yet you could always just say the venue needs the count sooner than you originally had thought.

LDubHawksFan

I think you will be ok.  I gave myself a week to track down people, but it didn't take that long.  You may want to check with your venue.  Our count was due 21 days before our event, but it was really the "minimum" count.  I could add more, but not subtract.  My BM still wasn't sure if she could come, so I left them off that count, but could have added them up to 5 days out.

MoonlightSilver

Have you tried emailing your venue and seeing if they'll push it back a few days, since you didn't realize it was business days? The worst that happens is they say no, and then you spend all saturday and sunday calling people.

ljsquintz

I would check with your venue and explain the misunderstanding.  I manage events at a venue, and prefer to have the final count a week out but can always make minor adjustments, so you should be ok.