When to mail?

Sembree1

We are having issues as to when to mail invitations. They will be in in about a month. Our wedding is March 15, 2014. We need definite headcounts for our venue, etc. I have two issues. I know you are supposed to send them out 2-3 months prior to the wedding. I also know my family will not RSVP by whatever date we give them and it will be months of prying teeth to get answers (and will still not get answers from them all). I am also afraid though that if we send them out a little earlier, say mid December, they will get lost in holiday mail. I'm at a loss of what to do here. Thank you for any advice!

mlg78

Definitely no.  Following up on invites is not as hard as you'd think.  "Hi Bob! We didn't receive your RSVP back for our wedding.  We need to know for sure by March 1st so if I don't hear from you by tomorrow we will assume you're not able to join us.  Thanks!"  If you don't hear from him, that's a no then.  See?  Simple!  Send them 8 weeks out and call it a day.  If you are already saying that your family won't RSVP then what good does sending them in mid December do?  That's just silly.  For our family my mom would bring up the wedding in conversation when she'd see them for those who hadn't yet RSVP'd prior to the cut off date..."I still can't believe Megan's getting married so soon! Will you be able to join us for the wedding?" and then she'd make note of their response without a formal RSVP card.

katieg520

I was wondering the same thing... I find that people don't RSVP for anything anymore. They decide last minute whether or not they are actually going to go.

lizandmark2014

This makes me sad. My family does not RSVP often. The good thing is I have no problem calling or e-mailing to get a yes or no.

MyNameIsNot

Send them out 8 weeks in advance, and leave yourself about a week between the RSVP date and the date you need a final headcount.

For everyone that doesn't reply, call them.  "Hi John.  We haven't received your RSVP.  We need a final headcount to the caterer by Monday.  If we haven't heard from you by tomorrow, we'll have to mark you as a no."