Early RSVP?

To be honest -- that is way too early. your save the dates will really help you in this regard -- both in getting a feel for who is coming, and letting your guests know early enough to plan and make their arrangements. you can also use your wedding website to let people know that it is a busy time there, and they should book early.

That is way too early and it may backfire. People may say yes and have something come up or say no since they don't know that far in advance. I agree with Ashlee about sending STD and having the lodging on the website.

Instead of save the date send the wedding invite and then just put a small note in saying best time to book the hotel by april 31.

I agree that this is where your STDs will be very helpful. Send them out now. On your STD's direct your guests to your website. On your website, ask people to let you know if they know they are absolutely not going to be able to make it. Also tell them the situation about booking rooms. Those who are coming, will book.

We are having a DW. This is what I did. All of the rooms at the inn have been booked since January of this year. I have spill over at the inn within walking distance and guests staying at two other inns requiring driving. When it was time to send invites, I only sent them to guests who said they would most likely make it. A couple said no when I sent STD and I didn't send an invite. They had planned on coming up for Saturday only and thought the STD was the formal invite. I would have been horribly embarrassed if I was not prepared for them.

Too early; all kinds of uncontrollable things can happen to your guests. Send the STDS, include all your hotel contact information and then ask for replies a month ahead. I always recommend to my couples that they send out invites a little early for summer weddings (and holidays too) so people can plan, but not too early.

Or send your Save the Date out in Feb of 2012.

Have your Save the Date more geared towards the urgency for the guests to book their rooms. I agree, have your website on there for them to visit for more information. And then have "Formal Invitations to Follow"

Send out the formal invites 8 - 10 weeks before. RSVP date July 4th... it will be an easy date for them to remember.

I'm getting married near RMNP too! I just wanted to chime in with that

On topic, yes, this is definitely a situation where the Save The Date is very important.

I would say send them out in May the earliest and sask to be back in beginning of June for the earliest. people might forget etc...i would do a save the date maybe early so ppl can book rooms etc....