RSVP follow up

Tell them what you told us. That you need a headcount to the caterer by a certain date, and if they would be so kind as to let you know the RSVP. Simple as that. Most will certainly understand.

Give it a couple more days before sending out the emails.

Yeah I was going to wait through the weekend and send them out Monday (after the mail arrives in case there are a few last minute). I am just getting the list of emails together and getting something written so I can put it out of my mind!

I would wait another day or two before emailing -- chances are some folks put them in the mail today and you'll get them by the weekend.

Why does your caterer need to know so early? You're still a bit over a month out, so it's possible you'll have some guests that still won't know if they can make it, even a week from now. Can you agree to a minimum with your caterer that you can add to but no go under?

Also, do you know if everyone actually received their invites?

For an email, I'd go with something like "We are very excited for our big day coming up, and we hope that you will be able to join us! At this time, we still haven't received your RSVP. Please be sure send that back or let us know if you will be joining us by (date) so we can ensure we have enough seats and food for all our guests."

Something like that.

@Reenski - I left a message with my caterer about doing that, hopefully we can agree on a number. What we had originally expected (due to over 75% of guests coming from out of town) for guests has been blown out of the water by the number of yes responses we have had. So we are already adjusting the numbe a bit, so I'm hoping they will work with me on it.

That's another of the reason I wanted to email people I hadnt heard from, because I don't have much faith in the mail system I dont feel like the email puts them on the spot the way a phone call does.

When is your headcount due? If it's really early that might be part of the reason you're missing 20%, although there are always a few stragglers no matter what.

I would just wait until a week before your headcount is due, then send the email or make your phone call and say something like,

Hi there! Wanted to follow up with you and make sure you received our wedding invitation! We really need responses by xx date to ensure there's enough food/seating for everyone, so if you can make it please let me know by then. If we don't hear from you by then, we'll assume you can't make it. We would love to you have you, but if you can't make it we totally understand and we'll celebrate another time!

Love,

Sarah P.

I bet you get a bunch by Monday/Tuesday.

^ I like Kris's email better.

As usual, what Kris said.

I agree with waiting. We got a lot of RSVP's back early the following week after our deadline.

Awww, you guys. I'm blushing. lol

Re: the mail - a few of our invitations went into a USPS black hole. And then we got one of our RSVP's literally 2 or 3 months after the wedding. It was postmarked the month of our wedding, so I know the guest sent it on time. So stuff does disappear sometimes. Super bizarre.

Originally the caterer wanted to know by the 25th of Feb (for our March 24 wedding) but I pushed it back to March 5th, but had already had the RSVP cards printed with the original date needed on it. So I'm not surprised since it is early, and we have heard from a ton of people so that part is great. Mostly it is in-town people that we haven't heard from. I just wanted to put it out there that we are excited, and want to hear from everyone. And just to be sure everyone GOT their invite... Luckily my great-grandma and I talk regularly because she never recieved hers, and I was able to get a new one out to her. I more or less just want to touch base with the people who are up in the air.

I like kris's email as well, that is the one I am going to use

I don't think there will be mail delivery on Monday (Presidents' Day).

^Forgot about that...I am goig to wait until Weds probably before sending out an email, then follow up in about a week or so after that with a phone call.