One of the most challenging aspects of planning a wedding is coordinating headcount accurately. Ensuring that each guest RSVPs on time is an essential aspect in making your wedding day go smoothly. However, sometimes guests do not respond by the deadline or forget to RSVP altogether. This can leave you wondering if you should remind guests to RSVP before or after the RSVP date.
Risks of not following up with guests
Your wedding vendors may require a final headcount weeks before the event, so you need to know the number of guests who will attend your wedding as soon as possible. Assuming that people will remember to RSVP on their own is not always the best approach.
It is typically expected of guests to RSVP by the deadline specified in the wedding invitation. However, some guests might forget or push this task to one side. You could end up with a high number of “No Show” guests on the day of your wedding.
When should you remind guests to RSVP?
Giving guests a gentle reminder a week or two after the RSVP deadline can be helpful rather than before the RSVP date. However, you do not want to appear too pushy or put undue stress on guests to respond by a specific date. Keep in mind that sometimes life gets busy, and your wedding might not be a priority for them.
How can you remind guests to RSVP?
An easy and common way to remind guests to RSVP is to send a polite follow-up email. You can craft a simple message thanking them for the invitation response they have submitted, and reminding them that you need a confirmation from them.
To avoid seeming too pushy, you can mention that you understand if they are busy and that you are only trying to get a final headcount to give to your wedding planner or caterer. Alternatively, you can get a close friend or family member to reach out to guests and remind them to RSVP while emphasizing the importance of their confirmation.
Final thoughts
Remember, a gentle reminder to RSVP can go a long way. Being patient with your guests and allowing extra time for responses will not only benefit you but also your guests by ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day of your wedding.
While it helps to have an upfront RSVP date to ensure a headcount and reduce the number of “No Show” guests, sometimes reminders are necessary, so don’t be afraid to send them.
FAQ
When should you remind guests to RSVP?
Being organized and timely is the key to having a successful event, and RSVPs play a crucial role in this. As a host, you want to know how many people will be attending your event, so you can prepare accordingly, and this is where RSVPs come in. Sending out invitations is just the first step; you will also have to follow up with your invitees to ensure that you get a response from everyone.
As a general rule of thumb, you should send out your invitations at least six to eight weeks before your event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, or any other celebration. This timeframe will give people enough time to plan their schedules, arrange for travel if necessary, and respond to your invitation. Once you have sent out your invitations, it is advisable to give your guests four to five weeks to RSVP.
After this initial period, it is good practice to give your invitees a gentle reminder to RSVP. You can do this in a number of ways, such as sending a follow-up email, a text message, or even by making a phone call. The timing of the reminder will depend on your personal preference and the nature of the event. For a big wedding, you might want to send out reminders a few days before the deadline, while for a small dinner party, a reminder a week before the RSVP deadline might be more appropriate.
To ensure that your guests respond to your reminder, make sure to keep your message friendly and polite. Let them know that you are looking forward to their response and that you appreciate them taking the time to consider your invitation. You can also use this opportunity to answer any questions they may have, such as dress code or parking arrangements.
Reminding guests to RSVP is an essential part of event planning. By sending your invitations out in time, giving your guests ample time to respond, and sending reminders when necessary, you can guarantee a successful and stress-free event.
How do you politely ask guests to RSVP?
When hosting an event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, or business event, it is crucial to know how many guests will attend. This means that you need to politely ask guests to RSVP. While it might seem like a simple request, getting guests to respond in a timely manner is not always easy. Here are some tips on how to politely ask guests to RSVP.
1. Give Them a Deadline: When sending out invitations, it’s important to include an RSVP deadline. This will give your guests a time frame by which they need to respond. Make sure the deadline is set far enough in advance to give you time to make any necessary arrangements.
2. Provide RSVP Instructions: Make sure to provide clear instructions on how guests can RSVP. Let them know whether you prefer an email response, a phone call, or an online form. Be sure to include any necessary information, such as the dress code or whether they can bring a guest.
3. Follow Up: If you haven’t heard from a guest by the deadline, it’s time to follow up. Send a polite email or give the guest a phone call to inquire about their response. Keep in mind that guests may forget to RSVP, so a gentle reminder can be helpful.
4. Be Firm: While it’s important to be polite, it’s also important to be firm. Let guests know that you need a response in order to plan for the event, and that you will need to make arrangements based on the number of attendees. This will encourage guests to respond in a timely manner.
5. Thank Guests for Responding: When guests do respond, make sure to thank them for taking the time to RSVP. Let them know that you are looking forward to seeing them at the event.
Politely asking guests to RSVP is essential to ensure that your event goes smoothly. By providing clear instructions and following up, you can encourage guests to respond in a timely manner. Remember to be polite but firm, and thank guests for taking the time to respond.
Do you ask people to RSVP on a save the date?
A Save the Date is a pre-invitation notice sent to family, friends, and other guests who are invited to a wedding, reception, or any other event. It is usually sent before the official invitation, to give the invitees an early notification about the date and time of the event, so that they can plan accordingly. Whether or not to ask for an RSVP on a Save the Date depends on personal preference, but generally speaking, there is no need to request one.
Save the Dates are sent solely to provide guests with enough time to make arrangements for attending the event. Invitations traditionally follow later and include an RSVP card or response mechanism. Therefore, it is not expected that guests will respond to a Save the Date. However, some guests may choose to do so anyway, either as a courtesy or to help the host planning process.
If you do decide to ask for an RSVP on your Save the Date, make sure that you are clear about the purpose of the RSVP, and that you make it easy for guests to do so. This could involve including a separate card or response mechanism, or simply stating clearly that you would appreciate it if they would let you know whether or not they will be attending.
Whether or not you should ask for an RSVP on your Save the Date ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, keep in mind that guests are not obligated to respond to a Save the Date, and that most will wait until they receive the official invitation before doing so.