Rsvp Due Dates: How Far In Advance For Weddings?

Finalising your guest list and sending out wedding invitations are two big steps in the wedding planning process, but the work doesn't end there. Next comes the tricky part: waiting for your guests to RSVP. It's important to set an RSVP deadline and stick to it, but when should that deadline be? Here's a guide to help you choose the right RSVP by date for your wedding.

RSVPs should be due 3-4 weeks before the wedding

When it comes to your wedding, it's essential to give your guests enough time to RSVP, but not so much time that they forget to respond. The sweet spot for setting an RSVP deadline is typically around three to four weeks before your wedding day. This gives you a buffer to organize your final guest list and chase up any late responses, while also allowing your guests to make necessary travel arrangements if needed.

Here's why this timeframe works so well:

Vendor Deadlines

Your caterers, venue, and other vendors will usually request a final headcount one to two weeks before your wedding. By setting your RSVP deadline three to four weeks in advance, you'll have enough time to confirm numbers and finalise details with your vendors. This includes confirming table settings, meals, wedding favours, and other guest-dependent arrangements.

Guest Convenience

Giving your guests about a month to respond to your invitation is considerate and practical. It's enough time for them to check their calendars, make travel plans, and get their RSVP in on time. This timeframe also strikes a balance between not being too early, where they might procrastinate and forget, and not being too close to your wedding, where they may have already made other plans.

Chasing Late Responses

Despite your best efforts, some guests will inevitably respond past the RSVP deadline. By setting the deadline three to four weeks in advance, you give yourself a cushion to chase up these late responses without added stress. You can send friendly reminders, make phone calls, or even ask for their response in person.

Your Peace of Mind

The weeks leading up to your wedding should be a time to focus on final preparations and, of course, your excitement for the big day. By setting an RSVP deadline three to four weeks in advance, you'll have more time to manage any last-minute changes or unexpected situations. It's one less thing to worry about as you count down to your wedding.

Remember, it's essential to include a clear RSVP deadline on your invitations and wedding website. You can also add a friendly reminder a week or two before the deadline to encourage timely responses.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in your planning journey. It's essential to send them at the right time to ensure your guests have enough notice and can plan accordingly. Here are some tips and advice for sending invites 6-8 weeks before your wedding:

This timeframe is considered the "sweet spot" for several reasons. Firstly, it gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. Secondly, it allows you to request RSVPs sooner while adhering to proper wedding invitation etiquette. This early planning will enable you to get a final headcount, make seating arrangements, and finalise details with your vendors.

Save-the-Dates

If you're concerned about giving your guests enough notice, you can send out Save-the-Dates 6-8 months, or even a year, in advance. This is especially helpful for destination weddings or weddings where a large number of guests will be travelling. Save-the-Dates are not mandatory, but they give your guests a timely heads-up, making their planning process smoother and increasing the likelihood of positive RSVPs.

RSVP Deadline

When setting an RSVP deadline, aim for 2-4 weeks before the wedding. This gives you a buffer to track down any late responses and finalise details with your caterer and other vendors. It's crucial to set an RSVP deadline and stick to it to ensure you can provide accurate numbers to your vendors and create your seating chart.

Tips for Timely RSVPs

To ensure your guests respond promptly:

• Include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitations.
• Provide options for responding, such as a digital RSVP via your wedding website.
• Use clear and direct wording, requesting a reply by a specific date.
• Make the RSVP date clear and legible on the card or include a countdown ticker on your website.

Exceptions and Flexibility

While 6-8 weeks is a standard guideline, there may be exceptions. For destination weddings, sending invitations 4 months in advance and setting an RSVP deadline of 2 months before the wedding is recommended. Additionally, if your wedding falls around a major holiday, consider sending invitations earlier, as suggested by etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. This will allow guests to plan their holidays and travel accordingly.

Remember, the key is to give your guests enough time to plan and respond while also ensuring you have the information you need to finalise your wedding details in a timely manner.

Give guests a month to RSVP

When it comes to wedding planning, one of the most important things is ensuring that you give your guests enough time to RSVP. While you might be eager to finalise your guest list and start planning the seating chart, it's crucial to be patient and allow your guests a reasonable amount of time to respond.

So, how much time is enough? Well, most sources recommend giving your guests around a month to RSVP. This means that if you're sending out your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding (which is the recommended timeframe), you should set your RSVP deadline for about four weeks before the big day. This gives your guests enough time to figure out their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements, without leaving too much time for them to forget to respond.

Of course, you should also keep in mind that there might be some stragglers who don't respond by the deadline. It's a good idea to give yourself a buffer of a week or two after the RSVP date to follow up with any late responders. This way, you'll have plenty of time to chase down those missing RSVPs and finalise your guest list before you need to provide final numbers to your caterer and venue.

To make it easier for your guests to respond on time, you can include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitations. You can also offer the option of RSVPing digitally through your wedding website, giving your guests multiple ways to respond.

By giving your guests a month to RSVP and being organised about following up with any late responses, you'll be well on your way to finalising your guest list and planning the perfect wedding celebration.

Send reminders to non-responders

It is inevitable that some guests will not respond to your RSVP by the deadline. Here are some tips on how to send reminders to non-responders:

• Wait until the RSVP deadline has passed before sending reminders. This gives your guests the courtesy of responding by the date you set.
• Start with a quick, polite email or social media reminder to all non-responders. Let them know you are excited to see them at the wedding and would appreciate their response soon.
• If you are still missing responses, try calling or texting non-responders individually. A more personal form of communication may be more effective in getting a response.
• When calling or texting, start with a friendly greeting and a quick catch-up. Then, gently remind them about the RSVP and ask if they can make it to the wedding.
• If you are unable to get a response from certain guests, you may need to cut them from your guest list. However, if they are important guests such as close friends or family members, you may want to keep them on the list and follow up again later.
• It is a good idea to give guests a few extra days after the RSVP deadline to respond, especially if they are mailing their responses.
• When reminding guests about the RSVP, you can also ask them to provide their meal choices or any dietary restrictions. This will help with your planning and give them an extra incentive to respond.
• If you are collecting RSVPs online, use a tool or create a spreadsheet to keep track of responses and make it easier to identify non-responders.
• If you are collecting paper RSVPs, create a spreadsheet with guests' contact information, meal preferences, and other important details. This will help you stay organized and know who to contact after the deadline.

Finalise the guest list 1-2 weeks before the wedding

Finalising the guest list for your wedding is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. It's important to give your guests enough time to RSVP, but not too much that they forget to respond. Here are some tips to help you finalise the guest list 1-2 weeks before the wedding:

Set an RSVP deadline:

Give your guests a clear deadline to respond to your wedding invitations. The ideal deadline is around three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to organise your final guest list and follow up with any stragglers. Communicate this deadline clearly on your wedding invitations and wedding website.

Send invitations in advance:

Make sure to send your wedding invitations with plenty of time for your guests to respond. It's recommended to send invitations out six to eight weeks before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements if necessary.

Follow up with guests:

Don't be afraid to follow up with guests who haven't responded by the deadline. Give them a call, send a friendly text, or email them directly. They may have simply forgotten to respond, and a gentle reminder will help ensure you get their RSVP on time.

Confirm numbers with vendors:

Your caterer, venue, and other vendors will need a final headcount for your big day. Be sure to confirm this with them at least one to two weeks before the wedding. This will allow them to plan accordingly for meals, table settings, and other arrangements.

Start working on the seating chart:

Once you have a finalised guest list, you can begin creating your seating chart. This task can be time-consuming, so it's best to start early. Consider any special requests or accommodations your guests may have communicated to you.

Handle last-minute changes:

In the week leading up to your wedding, you may still be waiting for responses from a few guests. Be clear with them that you need their response to include them in the final arrangements. It's essential to finalise numbers with your vendors and make any necessary adjustments.

Finalising the guest list is an important step to ensure your wedding plans run smoothly. By setting clear deadlines, communicating with your guests, and staying organised, you can achieve a stress-free final guest list and focus on enjoying your special day.

Frequently asked questions