How soon should you require RSVPs to be received by?

At least a week before you need your final headcount by. That way you can have time to call people that do not respond.

I would suggest 2 or so weeks before just incase there are some late straglers. Then you will have some extra time before your final count is in.

I'm too anal.....I'm going to ask for mine 1-2 mos. in advance!

I did mine for 2 weeks before the reception.

Thanks everyone for your responses!

@At last.... I would be afraid people would forget about it having them respond 2 mos in advance.

I would say about 2-3 weeks before the wedding day.. then do a Final Count 1 week and then call all that have not responded to see whats going on.. then give your final count to your caterer

I was thinking of sending mine out 2 months before & having the deadline be 1 month before...this gives them 1 month to rsvp & still gives me time to tie up any lose ends

I would have the RSVP deadline about four weeks out... that gives you plenty of time too to follow up on those you haven't heard from -- making sure it didn't get lost in the mail or anything.

If you put a respond by date of one to two weeks prior to the wedding it gives you plenty of time to get a final head count, contact anyone who has not responded. Plus you will then have time to relax prior to the wedding with the final guest list done.

Getting married May 1st and requested RSVP by April 1st to give me a two week lag time period to contact any guests before our final count is due (10 days before wedding day)

Our wedding is July 31st, sending invites out by May 8th, asking for RSVPs by June 19th...I am doing them 6 weeks and 12 weeks before bc I have a B list, and still wanted to give my B list plenty of time.

I'm going to have my rsvp one month before, lets me know how many favors, centerpieces i need if i need to make adjustments.

I am trying to gauge when I should send mine out as well. My family is late to everything, so if their mailing habits are anything close to that, I definitely need a lag time. If I sent them out the third week of May and asked to have them back by June 30th I would have 3 weeks to work with between my RSVPs and the event.