Franklin Dean
When planning a wedding, it's important to set an RSVP deadline to ensure you can finalise the details with vendors and plan for meals, seating, transportation, and more. While it's customary to send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, some couples opt for an earlier RSVP deadline, especially for destination weddings. This allows for a buffer to account for guests who may need more time to respond or make travel arrangements. However, it's generally recommended that the RSVP deadline be set for 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding, giving guests about a month to respond. If the RSVP deadline has passed and you're still awaiting responses, it's appropriate to follow up with guests after a week. A friendly phone call, text, or email can politely remind them, and you can express your enthusiasm for their attendance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to wait after the RSVP date | One week |
| How to follow up | Phone call, text, email, or social media post |
| When to follow up with vendors | Two weeks |
| When to send reminders | One week before the RSVP date |
| When to send invitations | 6-10 weeks before the wedding |
| RSVP deadline | 3-4 weeks before the wedding |
| What to include in the invitation | Stamped envelope, allergy and dietary information, emails, and phone numbers |
| What to say when following up | "Hello [guest's name]! Just a quick note to see if you were planning to attend our wedding on [date], as it will help us finalize the details for the big day!" |
| What to do once you receive verbal confirmation | Ask them to RSVP online for record-keeping |
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What You'll Learn
It's acceptable to follow up with guests who haven't responded
It is acceptable to follow up with guests who haven't responded to your wedding RSVP, and it is recommended to do so about a week after the RSVP deadline has passed. This is because you will need to provide your final guest count to your caterer, planner, venue, and other vendors about one to two weeks before your wedding.
To follow up, it is best to call your guests rather than email them, as your email might end up in their spam folder. When you call, you can politely say something like:
> Just calling to see if you’ll be able to attend our wedding."
> Sorry to call during the evening, but I’m just checking in to see if you and your family will be able to make it to our wedding."
> We hope you received our wedding invitation that was extended to you [amount of time] ago. We have not yet received an RSVP from you and we will need to get the final numbers to our venue and caterer. If we don’t hear back from you by [date], we will assume you are unable to attend. If you would like to join us to celebrate our big day, please give us a call as soon as you can."
If you gave your guests an RSVP card to post back to you, wait a few more days before following up, as their response might be in the mail. If a guest expresses surprise that you didn't receive their response, you can ask them for any other information you need, such as their meal preference. You can also give them a deadline to respond by, but avoid saying something like "Please get back to me within 24 hours."
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Give guests a few weeks to respond
It is generally recommended that wedding guests are given a few weeks to respond to an RSVP. This is to ensure there is enough time for guests to make travel arrangements if necessary, and for the couple to receive responses before finalising the details for the big day.
The "RSVP by" date should ideally fall three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives the couple enough time to chase any non-responders and get an accurate headcount for the venue and caterers. It is also enough time for guests to make a decision without being too far out from the wedding date.
If you are still waiting on several RSVPs after the deadline has passed, it is advisable to wait about a week before sending follow-ups. You can then make a friendly phone call, send a text, or send a quick reminder via your wedding website. It is important to express enthusiasm for their attendance and let them know their presence means a lot to you, which may make them more likely to attend.
It is a good idea to follow up with all guests who haven't RSVP'd at least two weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise seating arrangements, entree selections, and other last-minute details.
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Send a reminder the week before the RSVP deadline
It is important to set an RSVP deadline for your wedding guests. The deadline should ideally be set for three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to organize your final guest list and figure out who has not responded yet.
However, despite careful planning, you might find that your wedding RSVP deadline has passed, and you're still awaiting confirmation from some guests. In this case, it is perfectly acceptable to send a friendly reminder to your guests about their RSVP.
- Send a quick reminder via text, email, or a phone call to politely nudge your guests. Be sure to keep the communication straightforward and friendly.
- You can also add a note to your wedding website or use social media posts to remind guests about the upcoming RSVP deadline.
- Express enthusiasm for your guests' attendance throughout the process. Let them know their presence means a lot to you, making them more likely to respond positively.
- If you have a wedding website, consider adding a countdown ticker to create a sense of urgency and encourage guests to respond before the deadline.
- When sending a reminder, you can say something like: "Hello [guest's name]! Just a quick note to see if you were planning to attend our wedding on [date]. We'd love to have you there, and it would help us finalize the details for the big day!"
Remember, it is essential to maintain a friendly and enthusiastic tone in your reminders. By sending a reminder the week before the RSVP deadline, you can increase the likelihood of receiving timely responses from your guests and make the planning process easier for yourself.
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Send invitations 6-10 weeks before the wedding
When it comes to sending out wedding invitations, timing is crucial. Send your invitations between six and ten weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to decide and make travel arrangements if necessary. Sending your invitations within this time frame also means you can set your RSVP date according to proper wedding invitation etiquette.
If you send your invitations too early, there is a risk that your guests won't know their schedules and will have to change their RSVP status at the last minute. It's also likely that they will forget about the invitation altogether. On the other hand, sending invitations less than six weeks before the wedding is considered too late by etiquette and practicality standards. This is because your guests may not have enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel arrangements.
If you are sending invitations to out-of-town or out-of-state guests, it is customary to mail them around eight to ten weeks before the wedding. This is to ensure they have ample time to prepare for their trip. However, it is recommended to mail all of your invitations at the same time to keep things simple, even if some guests live locally.
If you are using a professional stationery designer, you should also consider the design process, which can take months. For pre-designed online wedding invitations, the best time to order is around 12 to 14 weeks ahead of your wedding to account for shipping delays or reprints. Aim to have your invitations ready to mail at least ten weeks before the wedding, regardless of whether you opt for a designer or online route.
Remember, your wedding RSVPs should ideally be due at least four weeks before the wedding and absolutely no later than two weeks before. This gives you enough time to organize your final guest list and chase down any stragglers. You can also send guests a quick RSVP reminder the week before the deadline or add a note to your wedding website.
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Save the date cards don't require a response
Save the date cards are a great way to let your guests know that your wedding is on the horizon and to keep their calendars free. They are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, and sometimes even up to 12 months in advance for destination weddings. These cards are usually reserved for those who are definitely going to be invited to the wedding. While it's not necessary to have all the details of your wedding planned, you should at least have a venue and location locked down before sending out save the dates.
Save the date cards do not require a response from guests. They are simply a courtesy to allow guests to plan ahead and anticipate their formal invitation. Asking for an RSVP along with a save the date card may be considered improper etiquette, as it could be interpreted as an invitation. If you need an early headcount, it's best to set an earlier RSVP deadline for the formal invitations.
If you have passed the RSVP deadline for your wedding and are still waiting on responses, it is recommended to follow up with guests after about a week. You can do this by phone, text, email, or social media. It's important to get an accurate headcount for your final guest list, and following up with guests will help you organize any last-minute details.
When setting an RSVP deadline, consider that most venues and caterers will require your final guest count about one to two weeks before the wedding. It's a good idea to ask your vendors for a firm deadline and work backward from there. This will help you avoid unnecessary stress and ensure you have enough time to follow up with any stragglers.
In conclusion, save the date cards are a thoughtful way to give your guests a heads-up about your upcoming wedding, and they do not require a response. If you're waiting on RSVPs after your deadline has passed, don't be afraid to reach out to your guests and gently remind them to respond.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to wait about a week before sending follow-ups to guests who haven't responded. You can give them a friendly phone call or send a text as a polite reminder.
When following up with guests, keep your communication straightforward. You can say something like: "Just a quick note to see if you were planning to attend our wedding, as it will help us finalize the details for the big day."
Save-the-date cards are intended to give guests a heads-up to mark their calendars. Asking for an RSVP on these cards can be considered an invitation. It is generally recommended to send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, giving guests about a month to RSVP.
The ideal RSVP deadline is typically around three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to organize your final guest list and figure out who hasn't responded. It also allows you to provide your final guest count to your caterers and venue, which is usually required about one to two weeks before the wedding.
