how far in advance do you ask for the rsvp to be back?

I think 1 month???

Ok thanks that sounds a lot better

When is your headcount due to your vendors? I would give myself at least two weeks before that.

Oh well i am not doing catering or anything so i dont think it matters for vendors

Depending on your venue and head count I would say 4 to 6 weeks. Otherwise you might end up paying for a lot empty seats.

I'm thinking 3 weeks to a month. Some people might send them back a little later or need a phone call reminder or they have forgot to mail it out. Anyways I wouldn't wait too long because you will still need a guest count even without vendors because you will still need to go shopping for the food and drinks to accommodate for the guests. I'm thinking of doing 3 weeks before, that's enough time to still place phone calls and get the shopping done without having to worry about it last minute. I too am doing the catering myself and by myself I mean with help from my family, close friends and bridal party. Some things like cookies can be made and frozen beforehand but I'd wait until the day before to actually prepare things like fruit and veggies. I'm also thinking of cooking meat the night before, refrigeration it and just having somebody heat it up in the kitchen at the reception hall that way nobody has to miss the ceremony because they were busy cooking.

Thanks

At least two weeks before your vendors require final headcount. So, I'd say normally 4 - 6 weeks. You WILL have to chase people down to get your final cut, so make sure you have time for that.

I dont need a head count (no caterer and venue is a set price not depending on head count) so the rsvp isnt really nessicarry ... I just really want to know how many people to expect.

If you are having any type of food and/or refreshments, you still need a general idea of how many people are coming - even if it's not being catered.

i have to give final counts to my chair cover vendor and my cake vendor 2 weeks prior so I am giving myself 2 weeks before that. i have figured exactly what that date is but i figured i'd leave some cushion.

Incidentally, the couple from my church that's renewing their vows, the wife asked me this morning if i had decided yet if i was coming to their ceremony. Mind you I just got the invitation last week and the rsvp deadline is not until March 1. Well apparently whoever did the invitations she told them to put rsvp ASAP. She said people are telling her she's sending invitations out too early but she says not she's not b/c she has to give the caterer a headcount. I just smiled at her. The ceremony is not until May.

I decided to send them the last week in may, have the rsvp date for june 15th, and that will give me a month.

Oh dang gonnit, I screwed up. I'm getting married May 15th and I said April 25th. That's only like 3 weeks.

I have my RSVP date 2 weeks before the wedding..

I was told anywhere between 3 weeks-month by my venue since we need to get head count back a week prior. Since you don't have to give a head count, 3 weeks is fine.