when to have response date ?

on the rsvp cards- i want them to respond 4 weeks prior to the wedding. is that too early? i know a lot of guests won't respond by the date on the card so i want to give them extra time.

also- my reception is at the same place as the wedding so i don't have a reception card. what is the wording for that on the bottom of the invitation? is it 'reception immediately follows the ceremony'

or 'reception immediately following the ceremony'

or something else? thanks.

Re: when to have response date ?

I did one month before, and i put 'Reception immediately following' on the last line

Re: when to have response date ?

4-weeks prior isn't too early. You have to give yourself a week to get in touch with all that didn't respond, and that leaves you 3 weeks for a final head count for centerpieces, favors and the hall,

I would word it 'Reception immediately following ceremony'.

Re: when to have response date ?

we put 'dinner reception immediately after ceremony'


I did one month...I had to give my final counts 2 weeks before...so I figure a week for the procrastinaters and a week to get organized and call if need be

Re: when to have response date ?

8/1 is our wedding, 6/27 is what we put for the response date. I know it's early but I want to be sure to make all the phone calls - we KNOW we'll be making them. Also, 4 weeks prior was 4th of July weekend and I didn't think people would be thinking about my response cards then.

I agree with the others - put 'Reception to follow' or something along those lines on the last line of your invite.