RSVP Postage- Am I just being cheap?

sarahebrown

Okay Ladies,
Got my invites and working on addressing them and sending them out this week. Now, I know the proper thing to do is to include pre-paid postage on the envelopes for the guest to use to RSVP. The thing is, we are inviting 119 people, and I KNOW that only about 60 will actually attend. I know this because most of my friends and family live in California and won't be able to afford the travel for the wedding. So....here's my dilemma. Do I include RSVP postage on every invite anyway? Or do I only put it on the ones I think are coming? Or not at all? I don't want to be overly cheap but I also hate wasting money (especially when I have alot more important things pertaining to our wedding to spend it on). What do you think?

jkramas

The little things really do all add up! 

Even the people not coming will send back the RSVP with a no usually.  So I would say include it on all or none.  You could do something a little less traditional and create a wedding page for them to RSVP.  One of the wedding planners I spoke with had a customized site they used for this, but I think you could use the ones that are free online.  Just a thought, that way you can save all the postage and send them somewhere to find info on everything (hotels, where you are registered, etc).

I am home sick today, that is why I am ALL over the board today

lindsaystief

Sarah sorry to go off topic but you are getting married the same day I am... 10/9/11.... you are sending out your invites already?  Apparently I am way behind on this... but I do agree with the previous post... postage on all or none of your RSVP cards....

llilley

We're doing a website to avoid this!  Only ppl that we know will have a hard time with an online RSVP are getting stamped cards (grandparents who don't have internet, etc).

wxkristin

I briefly debated this myself, then I started reading the etiquette forum. 

As mentioned above, both the 'yes' and the 'no' RSVPs will need to be mailed back. 

Also, apparently however user friendly you make your website, the majority of people just won't interact with it.  [Horror stories seem numerous on some of the other forums that depended only on the online RSVP]  It seems like a waste, but without that little RSVP note pinned to the fridge or left on the counter, people will honestly forget to RSVP.  Also, a few people may surprise you and make the trip, you never know for sure. 

Oh, going back to the etiquette thing, I think it is customary to send invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding (Save-the-date cards are at about 4-6 months)...  someone might want to double-check me on that though...

dwfangirl

You can (and definitely may want to) get away with sending invitations earlier for a destination wedding than a traditional wedding.  We sent ours about 3 months out and it worked out really well.  We did include RSVP envelopes with postage, and still people didn't respond.  I will say that I fell victim to the whole "everyone will go to the web site" thing... we listed it on the save the dates, but almost everyone still emailed me or called me about accommodations and other details.  (We didn't have online RSVP though.)

So... I would probably go with including postage, even though it can be wasteful.  But that's just me.     

HStafford

I think its definitely worth the price to add the postage on the RSVP.  Not only is it fun coming home every day to see who responded (and most people write little notes on their RSVPs), it will definitely save headaches down the road.  It is so frustrating when your final count is due to the caterer, rentals, etc (not to mention seating chart) and you can't get a response from your out of town cousin that you don't think is coming, but have heard might come, etc....

boderboo

Like HStafford said, it is worth the costs for the RSVP postage.  I seldom, if ever, have stamps as I pay everything via the internet.  I would have to go to the PO just to send back an RSVP.

Also, like PP said, the norm is to send invites 6-8 weeks in advance.  If you sent STDs, then everyone should have geared up for your big event.  OBX2011 plans on sending her invites around early July for a 9/16 wedding. 

mparwulski

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_rsvp-postage-am-just-being-cheap?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:598Discussion:b683a61f-a6d4-4631-9da7-4745da406f9ePost:6c230b1c-9395-40ce-8e83-276efef500b1">Re: RSVP Postage- Am I just being cheap?</a>:
[QUOTE]Like HStafford said, it is worth the costs for the RSVP postage.  <strong>I seldom, if ever, have stamps as I pay everything via the internet.  I would have to go to the PO just to send back an RSVP.</strong> Also, like PP said, the norm is to send invites 6-8 weeks in advance.  If you sent STDs, then everyone should have geared up for your big event.  OBX2011 plans on sending her invites around early July for a 9/16 wedding. 
Posted by boderboo[/QUOTE]

Good point, Boderboo.  I rarely do either.  I stamped all of mine, including Canada, which I had to get international stamps for.  I did not stamp the RSVPs for my family in Spain.  I know very few of them can come and I am in direct contact with those that will.

jkramas

I was just poking around the other boards and found this recent string which is very similar to your question, I am not sure if it is helpful at all to you:

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_reply-card-postage