Why cant people just Rsvp?

Because people are mostly too busy but in not rsvping, really selfish.

You absolutely need to follow up. What if they sent their RSVP but it got lost in the mail? What if they plan on attending but the RSVP slipped their mind and is still pinned to the fridge? You cannot just expect them to all be declines

With that number left with no response, you probably should have started a week after the deadline. Divide them up between you and FH and start sending messages ASAP. Something like "Hello, we haven't received an RSVP from you about whether you'll be able to attend our wedding on X date. Please let me know by X (a date a few days away) if you're planning on coming!"
Then follow up again with anyone who does not respond the day after you asked to respond by asking for a response telling them that final numbers are due by X date (a couple of days before final numbers are actually due) and if they have not gotten in touch with you, you'll have to assume they are not attending.

Definitely start following up. A number of things could have happen -

RSVP got lost in mail when you sent it.

RSVP got lost in mail when they sent it.

They forgot (some people need a reminder unfortunately).

But I would start sending texts, calling people, Facebook message, etc. This is rather normal unfortunately.

Definitely follow up. We had about 75-80 people not RSVP, so DH and I split the contacts between ourselves and then my parents offered to take some relatives/church members to contact themselves as well so we each ended up with about 25 people to contact. Enlist some help in contacting if you can, but you absolutely don't want to just guess on what the number might be.

View Quoted Comment

I agree. ^ Peoples' lives are busy. I wouldn't take it personally, but definitely follow up to ensure you have max turnout!

View Quoted Comment

The lost mail thing is a real situation.

i found a lot of people who rsvp regrets just think they can ignore the rsvp

As others said above, I would definitely reach out to the guests that did not RSVP. I found out a few of my friends did not get my invitation or thank you cards which was a pain; it got lost in the mail. I made my FH reach out to his guests that did not RSVP yet to confirm if they got the invite and I reached out to the remainder of mines..... You got this!

Unfortunately you do need to reach out to all those people to avoid problems the day of your wedding. UGH - after planning a wedding I am going to be the BEST "RSVPer" for the rest of my life!

View Quoted Comment Agreed! And I know that people are bad at it which is why I made it so easy for them. All they had to do is Mark yes or no.

When is the wedding date? Regardless of the RSVP date, most people expect to have up until a few weeks before the wedding to RSVP. If you're wedding isn't in May, a lot of people probably through the invite/RSVP card aside with the thought "Oh, yay, a wedding invite. I'll send it back when it's closer and I know for sure". So now you have to contact a ton of people to follow-up. People who haven't ordered invites yet should keep that in mind--a too-early RSVP date (and a too early invitation) usually means you have to track down a ton of guests. It means more work for you, not less!

View Quoted Comment The wedding is May 19

View Quoted Comment

Ugh, then your guests are behaving like jerks. Sorry about that! (I've so often seen people complaining about not receiving RSVPs when the wedding isn't for months...in that case the issue is more on the couple than the guests).

People use "busy lives" as an excuse for everything. In reality, way too many people were never taught or make a conscious decision to ignore good etiquette.

That leaves you in he position of having to follow up or else you will be in the uncomfortable position of wither not having enough food and seating, or wasting money on plates and seats you don't need.

View Quoted Comment

Yep - time to follow up! People are so odd. They can't come and they think by not responding they are responding.

Sorry you have to go through this, but sadly, we all do....

Definitely follow up. I too had to chase the strugglers.