RSVP cards necessary for backyard reception?

I think you probably will need some kind of rsvp card just so you know how much food to buy

Sounds like an RSVP card would do the trick!

Do you have a wedding website with an RSVP tool? You could go that route.

Make sure it's clear that there are no plus ones, so that people don't bring guests. If you did do RSVP cards, the best way to ensure this is to put something like:

___ seats have been reserved in your honor

___ attending

___ not attending

@Desiree, that is so smart! I wish I would have worded it like that on my RSVP cards...

A backyard BBQ tends to be a little more casual, but I agree with the other ladies--you'll need to do some sort of RSVP so you'll know how much food to buy and make and especially if you don't want people to bring plus-ones.

@Melanie, I'm DEF planning on using that on my RSVP cards so we don't get randoms. Can't afford it! LOL

I totally agree that I should have RSVPs...my only thing is that "seats reserved in your honor" because not everyone will have a seat due to limited space. We'll be using some tables and those high tables you see at bars to create a lounge-ish feel. So ill need some other wording for that...

I think using the word "seats" is a non-issue, even if they won't technically have a chair. Otherwise you could write "___ of ___ guests will be attending" to try give people the hint.

Just write their names on the RSVP and have Attending/Not Attending next to their name.

We Look Forward to Celebrating with You!

Please Reply by Sept 1st

___ John Doe ____ will attend __ not attending ___

___ Jane Doe _____ will attend __ not attending ___

I am having a backyard wedding and reception. I am including RSVP cards because I need a chair count and I need to give a count to the caterer.

Krystle, I wouldn't worry too much about the wording of the "seats reserved in your honor". Whatever happens will happen.

We hads guests not show up. We also had a guest show up who didn't RSVP, and also brought a guest.

Expect the unexpected, and don't stress.

Thanks! I can always count on my WW ladies to help me out lol. Now I have one more question...I sort of got ahead of myself and did print out RSVPs. My problem is that for the people who are not getting plus ones what do I do about the "guests invited" line I put on there. Would it look tacky to put an X on it? I don't want them to assume they can bring someone or should I just buy some more cards and reprint them? Ugh.

That is kinda confusing.... would it cost a lot to reprint????

Even if you wrote their names in the blank

John and Jane Doe

__2__ guests are invited

it might seem that they get to bring 2 more people

It wouldn't cost a lot to reprint I just wanted to avoid it if possible. What I was doing for people bringing guests was:

Jane Doe

+1 guests are invited

I guess I got a little too excited when I printed these out lol.

I agree with Hayley. I would reprint if you can, otherwise you might have some confusion.

Here's how our RSVP card looked if it helps - we probably stole the wording from Hayley or some other smart cookie here on WW. I filled in the second line to be clear (__ of 2 seats; __ of 2 accepts; __ of 2 declines) and that reflected the total people invited from that household.

Sorry in advance for the unsolicited advice but one of my friends did this and the last people through the line were standing with plates in hand watching everyone else eat until they could steal a seat. Her wedding was casual and lounge-y too, but once that buffet opened everybody wanted to eat all at once. If she'd had more hightop tables it would have been a big help so people could rest their plate. I love the lounge feel, I would just try to squeeze in as many surfaces as you can and then you can probably have them moved afterwards? Just something to consider.

Good luck, it sounds really fun!

Thanks krisalicious that seems pretty strait forward so no one will be confused. Guess im making a trip to Michaela after work! Lol

Hi there!

Well, the RSVP you have is suppose to send the message across!

Jane Doe

1 guests are invited

= 1 guest overall

But just in case you think this might help clarify- Are you using inner and outer envelopes?

You write the Main name of the person and address in the outer envelope. And then you write the names of the guests invited on the outer envelope:

outer:

Miss Jane Doe

1111 street name boulevard

city, state, zip

inner:

Jane Doe and Guest

or Jane Doe and boyfriend's name

or Jane Doe and Two Guests

I addressed my invite to my brother with 5 kids this way:

outer

Dr. Joe and Mrs. Jane Doe

1111 street name boulevard

city, state, zip

inner:

Joe and Jane Doe

and they got the message to not invite anyone else or bring their kids!

Hope this helps!