The Perfect Timing: When To Expect Rsvp Responses

RSVPs should be returned at least four weeks before the wedding, and no later than two weeks before the wedding day. The sweet spot for your RSVP due date is around three to four weeks before the wedding, which gives you enough time to organize your final guest list and figure out who (if anyone) hasn't responded yet.

RSVP deadlines should be set about 4 weeks before the wedding

Setting an RSVP deadline is an important part of the wedding planning process. It is important to set the deadline early enough to give guests enough time to respond and make travel arrangements if necessary.

The sweet spot for your RSVP due date is around three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to organise your final guest list and figure out who (if anyone) hasn't responded yet.

However, if you are having a destination wedding, you should set your RSVP deadline two months before the wedding. This will give guests ample time to make travel plans.

It is also important to clearly include the deadline on your invitations and wedding website so the date isn't overlooked by guests.

In general, the absolute latest when guests should RSVP by for a wedding is about two weeks before the event. By that time, the couple need to share a final guest count with their wedding caterer, venue and other vendors.

Early deadlines are advised for destination weddings, 2 months before the wedding

For destination weddings, it is recommended to set an earlier RSVP deadline, approximately 2 months before the wedding. This allows for ample time to organise travel plans and accommodations, which are essential considerations for destination weddings.

Setting an early RSVP deadline for destination weddings provides buffer time to confirm guest attendance and estimate arrival and departure times. This information is crucial for planning pre- and post-wedding events.

It is important to clearly communicate the RSVP deadline to guests. Include the date on wedding invitations and the wedding website to ensure guests are fully aware of the deadline.

Additionally, send wedding invitations for destination weddings further in advance, around 10-12 weeks before the wedding. This gives guests more time to make travel arrangements and accommodations.

Remember, early deadlines for destination weddings ensure a smooth planning process and help avoid last-minute confusion.

Caterers need a final headcount 2 weeks before the wedding

The sweet spot for your RSVP due date is around three to four weeks before the wedding—this gives you enough time to organise your final guest list and figure out who (if anyone) hasn't responded yet.

With Covid, some couples pushed their RSVP deadline back as far as possible to give their guests flexibility, so they asked for RSVPs to be returned 3 weeks before the wedding date.

If you're having a destination wedding, send the invites a little further in advance—closer to 10 or 12 weeks before the wedding—to give people more time to make accommodations.

Set your wedding RSVP deadline about four weeks before the wedding day. Be sure to clearly include the deadline on your invitations and wedding website so the date isn't overlooked by guests.

No RSVPs should be accepted later than 2 weeks before the wedding

The sweet spot for your RSVP due date is around three to four weeks before the wedding—this gives you enough time to organize your final guest list and figure out who (if anyone) hasn't responded yet. Assuming that you send your wedding invitations between six and 10 weeks before the wedding, this gives your guests enough time to officially make up their minds and arrange travel accommodations if necessary.

If you're having a destination wedding, send the invites a little further in advance—closer to 10 or 12 weeks before the wedding—to give people more time to make accommodations. With a destination wedding, an early RSVP deadline will give you plenty of buffer time to make sure every guest is accounted for, as well as get a sense of when people will be arriving and departing, so you can plan pre- and post-wedding events accordingly.

The headcount for your caterer is due 2 weeks before your wedding, so you want to make sure you have time to call up anyone who doesn't RSVP by the date requested. With Covid, we pushed ours back as far as possible to give our guests flexibility, so we asked for RSVPs to be returned 3 weeks before the wedding date. I understand that may be cutting it too close depending on your vendors and when they need info but it worked in our case.

Follow-up reminders should be sent 1 week before the deadline

If you're having a destination wedding, send the invites a little further in advance—closer to 10 or 12 weeks before the wedding—to give people more time to make accommodations. Hopefully, most of your RSVPs have started rolling in by now. But if it seems like a lot of guest responses are still outstanding, you can send a friendly reminder to RSVP about one week ahead of the deadline.

For non-destination weddings, set your wedding RSVP deadline about four weeks before the wedding day. Be sure to clearly include the deadline on your invitations and wedding website so the date isn't overlooked by guests.

Two weeks before the event is the absolute latest when guests should RSVP by for a wedding. By that time, the couple need to share a final guest count with their wedding caterer, venue and other vendors. Waiting too long to RSVP will cause more work for the couple because they'll have to personally follow up, and if they can't track down your response, they may eventually assume you're not coming to the wedding.

If your wedding RSVP deadline has passed, wait about one week before sending follow-ups to guests who haven't responded yet.

Frequently asked questions