Ok, I need RSVP help!

jennyann28

I spent the morning printing my (double sided) map/directions insert, and my "details" insert.  But I am hesitant to print my RSVP one, for a couple of reasons.
1.)  Right now I have my reply-by date as July 1, for my July 31 wedding.  Is that enough/too much time?
2.)  Right now I just have a _________ where they put their names.  Should I put the traditional "M_______"?  or "Name(s):_______" or leave it? 

WDYT?  Any other suggestions?

carrieoz_76

I'd at least put names so they know what you want.

As for the deadline, I think you're probably fine.  Start with your deadline to give your final numbers to your caterer, then count back from that however much time you think you'll need to track down RSVPs - usually one to two weeks.

Or RSVP date is actually just 2 weeks before our wedding, because our reception dinner venue doesn't need it till just a few days beforehand.

sarack

i think you should give yourself more time. Just because I'm getting married on that day too and I think when it gets so close to a holiday, people stop remembering they have other stuff to take care of.

I put M and I also put how many seats were reserved for them...

jennyann28

Sara, are you sending yours waaaay early?  I think I remember you saying you were sending them May 15.  So you're expecting them back within a month?  Hmm... I think I may stick with the 1st of July to give people more time.  My caterer doesn't need the final count until a week before...

melissa82

I sent mine 11/3 for a reply date of 12/3 (12/31 wedding). We needed our final count 2 weeks out and we had a good amount of time to call the stragglers.

I had an M________

ETA: You might want to add a ___ Number attending line, too.

sarack

Yes, I'm sending mine out May something. That is because we ended up having a fair amount of OOT guests so.... plus, I want to give myself time for all the last minute things like escort cards and programs.

tvgal1971

I think your timing is fine.  I have a 4th of July date for my July 25th wedding.  I don't need a final count until 3 days beforehand, but I will need some time to finalize the seating and escort cards.

Traditionally, an M does go on that line to signify Mr. & Mrs.  I also agree with PP, you may want a line with number attending.

cupcakepirate

I've seen some RSVP cards where the name of the guest is printed instead of a line. Personally, I think it's a nice touch (More time consuming when it comes to addressing envelopes since you'd have to match them all up with respective guests.)

I guess I'd go with the M part. However, If I were to go through and do it all again I'd put a number or something on the back (or somewhere discreet) so I'd know for sure who the card had been sent to. I had several come back with out any names, but said they were coming. (But you'd still have to keep a list somewhere of what number went to what guest.) And also specify a number of seats that are reserved for the guest/family. I had one family RSVP for like 4 extra people.

I think July 1 would be an alright RSVP date. Since you wont need them until like a week before anyway, I might push it back to the 2nd week of July.

BrandyL10

I put M's in front of the lines and I filled in after that, Mr So and So, or Mrs So and So. I have my reply date a month before the wedding. I want time to contact and track down the people who don't respond! And to me, right before my venue wants the head count wouldn't be enough time for me, at least stressfree time!

dreamwinds

I always wondered if there was a reason why there was name spaces left for people to fill in the name and if it was etiquette based and why people didn't just print the names there. Is it just that it's less time consuming when putting invitations together? Or was there an etiquette reason you might let a guest write down their own name?

And I would never have thought to put down an 'X seats have been reserved in your name' bit. I love it! It neatly solves my problem of unexpected plus 1s.

I think, piggy backing on what other people said, I would probably have your due date a week earlier, if only because I tend to forget to do things the closer I get to a holiday, even ones like Memorial Day or the Fourth, cause I'm usually busy planning get togethers or bbqs.