Receiving RSVPs?

Iloveshanej

I'm not sure if this is the perfect place to post this but I wasn't sure so I'll give it a try.

Those whose RSVP date is near, have you found that people tend to wait until the last minute to RSVP? We still have a could weeks before our RSVP date but we haven't heard from some very close friends and family. I always send the RSVP back right away but does anyone have any experience will getting flooded with RSVPs at the last minute?

MobKaz

I have found that RSVP cards are returned in waves.  There is typically an initial return of many responses, quiets for a while, and returns with a flurry near or ON the due date.  Often it is the closer and immediate family members that are the last to respond because they assume you realize that, "Of course we are attending."  My daughter's best man never RSVP'd because he figured we obviously knew he would be there.  What he failed to realize is that those cards also carry meal information that is needed!

Wait 2 or 3 days past your RSVP date before you start making your follow up calls.  Many people actually wait until the due date to put the card in the mail.

Iloveshanej

mobkaz said:

I have found that RSVP cards are returned in waves.  There is typically an initial return of many responses, quiets for a while, and returns with a flurry near or ON the due date.  Often it is the closer and immediate family members that are the last to respond because they assume you realize that, "Of course we are attending."  My daughter's best man never RSVP'd because he figured we obviously knew he would be there.  What he failed to realize is that those cards also carry meal information that is needed!

Wait 2 or 3 days past your RSVP date before you start making your follow up calls.  Many people actually wait until the due date to put the card in the mail.

That's pretty much what I thought would be the case. We have all the wedding party confirmed even though some didn't RSVP and won't because they don't realize, like you said, that they have to be counted for food purposes. Thank you for the advice! I will wait a couple days past the date to make follow up calls. That's answered my question perfectly!

Majelin86

mobkaz said:

I have found that RSVP cards are returned in waves.  There is typically an initial return of many responses, quiets for a while, and returns with a flurry near or ON the due date.  Often it is the closer and immediate family members that are the last to respond because they assume you realize that, "Of course we are attending."  My daughter's best man never RSVP'd because he figured we obviously knew he would be there.  What he failed to realize is that those cards also carry meal information that is needed!

Wait 2 or 3 days past your RSVP date before you start making your follow up calls.  Many people actually wait until the due date to put the card in the mail.

Yes, that's exactly what I found too.

MobKaz

Marshmallow22 said:

Our "return RSVP card date" was about 2 weeks ago. They trickled in - we got at least one or two nearly every day. Out of 80 invites, I was missing about 15 cards by the return-by date. I still have 3 that never returned their cards, (and didn't respond to emails or calls) so they are being counted as "no's" by this point.

It would be prudent to reach out to those three guests. There is a chance they never received their invitation. It will also avoid the awkward chance you have guests attend you were not expecting. "Hello, guest. Our RSVP date has passed and we have not heard from you. We hope all is well. We do need to hear from you by XX/XX or we will assume you are unable to attend." In this way your guest will know that a dinner will not be available should they decide to show up without calling.