RSVP Tips for your big day

Articles, Planning & Advice

When planning your wedding stationery, it is important to think about how your guests will RSVP, and where this information will sit within your invitation suite. There are many options available, and below we share our top tips for your RSVPs to help you to stay organised and on track of those all-important numbers!

RSVP Card

Linear Florals by Appleberry Press

WHY DO I NEED GUESTS TO RSVP?

It is imperative to offer your guests a means to RSVP as this allows you to finalise your numbers for your reception venue and/or caterer. You will also need to know who is coming so you can organise your table seating plan. If you are opting for personalised place cards you need to know which names to include on these. If you have an unexpected number of people declining your invitation, this also allows you to send invitations to guests on your B List who you may not otherwise have got to invite.

WHAT OPTIONS HAVE I FOR GUESTS TO RSVP?

One option you have is to include RSVP cards with your invitation suite that your guests then post back to you. Alternatively you can print details of your phone or email address onto your actual invitation so guests can RSVP to you directly this way. Another option is to set up a wedding website with an RSVP facility. Then people can RSVP online and you can organise your guestlist through the website.

TRACK YOUR RSVPs

Believe it or not, some people return RSVP cards without their name, which can be slightly frustrating for you to say the least! To counteract this, what you can do is to create your guest list in a spreadsheet and allocate each guest/couple with a number. Then, in pencil, write this number onto the back corner of each related RSVP. This way you always know who the returned RSVP cards are from – simple!

WHAT DATE SHOULD I SET FOR RSVPs?

The RSVP date is usually set for 4 weeks before your wedding. Always check your RSVP date with your reception venue or caterer to make sure this is time enough to give them a final head count. Allow a week after your RSVP date for late responses, and there will always be a few you will have to chase up on also! For destination weddings, allow guests a maximum of 8 weeks before your wedding dates to RSVP.

Best of luck with your wedding planning, and most importantly, remember to have fun and enjoy the planning process!

The Appleberry gals xxx

Appleberry Press is an online stationery boutique based in Ireland. They sell everything from save the date cards, wedding invitations, ceremony booklets, menus, thank you cards and more… They are delighted to offer Mrs2Be readers 10% off their wedding stationery. Just enter code MRS2BE10 at checkout to avail of this offer. Browse their designs at www.appleberrypress.com