RSVP wording and dates - XP from 08 board

Ladies....I need help with my dates. Let me know if this is OK:

9/27/08 or 10/4/08 - Send out invites - Which ones
11/24/08 or 12/1/08 - RSVP date -which should I do?
12/15/08 - Give RH final count
12/27/08 - wedding day

Plese let me know what you think of my dates.

Now for the wording....right now it's:

THE FAVOR OF A REPLY IS REQUESTED BY THE 1ST OF DECEMBER:

M________________________________

____WILL ATTEND

____UNABLE TO ATTEND

____NUMBER ATTENDING

Is it ok? Seems a bit bland to me?

I found this on verseit.com since our wedding is right after Christmas but before New year's:

Add joy to our season...respond by
DATE
M_____________________
_____ So joyful to attend!
_____ Can't attend, but sending joy your way.