Importance of rsvp

Why wouldn't they RSVP? Does your family tend not to respond?

You will need to follow up with them. Why would this affect your accommodation budget? It is not customary to provide accommodations for guests.

If they tend not to respond, you still set an rsvp date with the invitation.

After that date has passed, you contact those who did not respond and ask them, for a clear yes or no."I'm calling because our caterer needs final numbers and we haven't received your rsvp. If you are unable to commit, we will have to consider you a no, and will miss you at the wedding."

I think they would probably RSVP to an event like a wedding. It’s not like a casual evening get together or a birthday party or something where are RSVP is polite but it typically won’t make or break an event/your wallet if guests don’t come or show up without an RSVP. Are you concerned that people won’t RSVP? You could encourage it through word of mouth instead if you’re worried about strong wording on the invite.

Just make sure to put your RSVP deadline a week before your final headcount is due. That way you have the time to contact everyone who forgets to RSVP. That is our plan. The hard deadline for my venue is 1-28. My planned deadline is 1-16 That gives us a little over a week to reach out to anyone who hasn't gotten back to us yet

Set the rsvp early, so that you have more time to follow up. Other than that, just set up some word of mouth.

My fiancé’s has a large family. Her father was remarried this past fall and had many many guests that RSVPd but did not actually attend. We have to pay our food vendor with number of guests in advance and we are not able to pay extra for people that do not attend. I’m looking for a polite way to address that

I don't think there is a polite way to phrase something like that. Make sure to follow up, and hope those that accept the invitation do attend your wedding

You have to accept that some people who RSVP yes will not actually come. Yes, the money paid for their meals goes to waste, but you can't force them to attend. I don't think many people understand how expensive that meal is, plus the tables/chairs/linens/favors/centerpieces.

There is no polite way to tell someone " I know you said you were coming, but we need you to guarantee your attendance."

An RSVP, by nature, is important.. not sure there’s a way to word it to make it even more obvious to them.

View Quoted Comment Is there any chance any of these relatives are distant enough that you can cut them from the guest list entirely? It's understandable if a legitimate emergency or illness arises but it sounds more like a bunch of rude people. I know some people aren't comfortable doing it but my MOH decreased her count by 4 knowing people would no show, she ended up having 8 no show. So she only lost out on half of the cost.