RSVP Numbers

ShleeAST · May 2011

Hello Pittsburgh Brides! I need some opinions and advice about our RSVP's. My FI and I invited 260 people to the wedding and so far only 145 have said yes and 60 have said no. There are 55 more people still out there we're waiting to RSVP but just by looking at the list we may end up with only 160 coming.

So what should I do with the empty space?!? We were hoping for 200 guests to say yes and that would be perfect! Now we're down to 15 tables or so and we're having our reception at the Airport Marriott in the Grand Ballroom and I'm afraid it's going to look empty. =(

I've been stressing about this since I started getting so many no's and it keeps me up at night. I just don't want the space to be too big for our reception.

=(

lindsayzeleznik · May 2011

I don't think it will look empty at all! Honestly, it will probably be nice to take advantage of the space!

How many ppl do you have per table? If you are planing ten/table, which is common, maybe you could downsize the tables to eight per person? That way you would have more tables and ppl would have more space at the tables to sit for dinner.

Another idea would be to put some smaller tables or cocktail tables around where the dance floor is and keep the dinner tables around the periphery of the room. There are usually some older ppl at weddings that don't want to dance but would definitely enjoy being closer to the party! Also, when people need a break from dancing they can sit or have a drink around the cocktail tables.

I hope this helps! Remember to take a deeeeeep breath - it's going to be amazing whether there are 150 or 200 ppl there!

MrsDydek · May 2011

First: I hope you are planning to call those who have not yet RSVP'd at some point to make sure that you know who is and is not comming - never assume.

Second: I second pp. take advantage of being able to site less ppl at a table and give them more room to move around. And you will probably be glad that you are able to space tables further apart depending on how full your dress is.

Third: try placing tables that are normally against walls, like cookie and cake tables, a couple feet away from walls. That way people will be able to view the cake and get to the cookie table from all angles. Though it won't take up more space per say, it will make the room look more full then it would if they were up against the walls.

dalecnar · May 2011

Were you surpised to have that many no's? I have 246 on our invite list and we're hoping to get down to 200-210. I'm praying that we get close.

Do you have a B list that you could invite? I know we have another 20+ people on our B list that depending on how many no's we get, they might get an invite later.

cgyvhu · May 2011

eek, don't have a B- list... it's considered very rude because you are basically giving those people less time to RSVP and if any of them know your guests invited previously, they will realize they are a second choice.

I think Lindsay and MrsD gave great advice - cocktail tables, seating less people per table

And please dont stay up at night stressing about this - many of the family and friends who love you will still be there, and you won't notice the size of the room the day of at all.

dbpsu18 · May 2011

I agree with MD and the other pp about making the table sizes smaller. I'm hoping to be able to get away with seating only 8 people per table because the conversation flows better at the table with just 8 instead of 10.. not sure why.. just easier to talk with everyone at the table when there are less

amy727 · May 2011

I say to have less people at tables. We invited 220 and were expecting maybe 180. We ended up only having 140 and it was great. We didn't have to worry about people being packed at a table and there was plently of room to walk in between the tables. I wouldn't stress over it!

ShleeAST · May 2011

Hi Everyone! Thank you for the great advice! I will def ask our reception venue if we can have 8 people at a table!

You're all right I should stress and the people who are there are the ones who want to be.

I guess I was surprised by all the no's especially the people who said they wouldn't miss it for the world and then turn around and say no. We have one more week for RSVP's so hopefully we get more yes's. I got 4 yes's today!

RSVP Numbers

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