OK, so my RSVP date is Oct 8th, and I still haven't gotten MANY Responses!!!

Original post by AndreaLMT

Sep 30, 2004 02:45 PM

I have a feeling I'm going to be making a LOT of phone calls. (Just what I feel like doing amidst all the other Wedding chaos).
We are still waiting to get like 30 response cards back (so figure around 60 people)- in about a week! I haven't gotten a response in 3 days!!!

It has the damn stamp on it, just put it in the mail!!!!!!!!!

nferrandi Posted: Sep 30, 2004 05:40 PM

Re: OK, so my RSVP date is Oct 8th, and I still haven't gotten MANY Responses!!!

We send invitations out early and have early RSVP dates just for the rude people that you then have to track down. My RSVP date was 9/11 and I just got one in the mail today?! People can be very inconsiderate and you need time to play it safe. Thank God FH and I were lax on doing our table charts, because 5 people who had responded yes are now not coming. If I had sent the chart to the hall last week, like I was supposed to, my parents would be paying for those empty seats.

Dooodles Posted: Sep 30, 2004 06:50 PM

Re: OK, so my RSVP date is Oct 8th, and I still haven't gotten MANY Responses!!!

Posted by DebMaher

Wow, I have said this a couple of times in recent weeks, but as a group we seem to be asking for really early RSVP dates. Typically, caterers do not need a final head count any more than 2 weeks (at most three) prior to an event...why ask for them so early? I understand that there is the curiosity factor -- ie just wanting to know, and certainly if you are doing something like custom favors where you need a precise number but otherwise, why do you put 5-6 weeks prior? I am not at all trying to be critical I am just curious. I completely sympathize with you guys -- why it is so hard to mail a pre-stamped envelope escapes me.

As for how to handle, my advice remains the same. WAIT for at least one week after RSVP date -- remember lots of people put the card on frig or calendar and actually send it out on that date -- so you get quite a few that week. Then, not you, but the least worked family member or BP member calls each person/family ONCE, no VM, no message, to say, Hi, I am calling about the Jones/Johnson wedding. We certainly hope you will be joining us but we had not received your reply and need the final head count for the caterer. I am calling to ask if you will be attending. If we do not hear from you at the following number in 48 hours then we will assume with regret that you cannot make it. Thank you very much.

I have to give my final headcount a month in advance. I saved Deb's advice on my computer for when the time comes.

DebMaher Posted: Sep 30, 2004 07:10 PM

Re: OK, so my RSVP date is Oct 8th, and I still haven't gotten MANY Responses!!!

'I made my rsvp 6 or maybe 7 weeks before my wedding. I figured by the time I got them all in, it would more like 4 weeks before. I just wanted to have plenty of time to do my seating, and whatever else I have to do (no clue). I would prefer not to have to do anything that week b/c its Thanksgiving.'

Stacey:
THat makes sense; again I was not being critical, just curious to see if there was something I did not know about.
Good luck!

DebMaher Posted: Sep 30, 2004 07:11 PM

Re: OK, so my RSVP date is Oct 8th, and I still haven't gotten MANY Responses!!!

Oaks lady-- that is ridiculous, I agree!

And again, I want to reiterate, in no way was I criticizing, I was trying to learn from you guys who are up at bat ahead of me. The thing is, once you do have someone making the calls remember, NO PHONE TAG. Once call, one message, no answer, no come (politely of course).

I also agree that it is PATHETIC not to answer people and I have heard this complaint at my sister's wedding and many friends -- I was just curious. Heaven knows, it is another stupid unnecessary stress that a busy bride does not need.