RSVP tricks!

I purchased an "invisible ink" pen on Amazon for $6, it only shows when you shine a black light (which came with the pen) on it.

@ashley, do you write that on the RSVP or envelope itself? Name? Number?

In my guestlist spreadsheet I assigned each guest a number and wrote the number on the RSVP card.

What happens if the guests doesn't write who is attending?

For example, we invite a family of 5 and only 3 RSVP. Do I contact them for the people who are joining to get their names?

The RSVP's I sent out had a line for guest names (I changed the standard M to Names so it was clear that's what I wanted) - we're having a pretty large wedding and almost everyone understood to write the names of those coming. They would even make a note on the back or below explaining why "so and so" wouldn't make it. As for numbering, I was afraid I'd change the numbering on my spreadsheet somehow so I ended up writing last names on the back. It also saved me from cross referencing the spreadsheet - but it was a little more time consuming. Good luck! It's a fun thing getting RSVPs back in the mail - personally I enjoyed finding out who was going to make it and updating my spreadsheet! I looked forward to it every evening

I did the same thing, used the invisible ink pen and numbered them. Amazingly we didn't have anyone submit without their names though. Our RSVP cards were black and had white areas for responses so I think people were less likely to forget to fill something in.

I also assigned each guest a number and wrote the number on the back of the RSVP card. I added a part underneath the line where guests wrote their name in like "____ of _____ will attend" and filled in the number invited in the second space. Despite that we still had people who didn't write their name in, didn't indicate if they were bringing a guest, or check off their meal choice lol. I really think people just don't read, so all the tricks in the world won't help that. For us the numbers on the back were a lifesaver since that's the only way we were able to track down the mystery RSVPs.

I did what ppl did with writing numbers on the back of RSVP card but I simply wrote tiny in ink. Major lifesaver doing it that way. Then as I updated my spreadsheet I could tell immediately who was missing. Also like others said sometime ppl just don't read and that we can't change. Even tho I wrote the name of the invited and went so far to include the number, ppl still scratched thru and wrote higher numbers...yes those got an eyeroll and a call. I don't understand why the invited invite other folk. There is a reason some folk didn't make the list...I don't know them!!! Some ppl have a lot of nerve. Telling self to #breath and drink wine...t minus 3

If you are offering a choice of entree, you can ask guests to initial their choice, rather than tick their choice. It can be an indication which 3 of those 5 are coming.

As a pp said, people don't read though, so I would choose an rsvp card that asked for the names. Some couples go so far as to write the names in themselves and the guests only has to tick "will" or "will not" attend,

I wrote the number in the corner in tiny writing; no one questioned it. It was VERY useful, I recommend it highly. I gave the option of Attending or Regrets, people filled in their names. I did not have a seating chart so names did not matter to me. So if Jason brought his plus one, I did not care who she was, you know? We actually had quite a few people not fill in their names nor put a return address on the card. Best wishes!!!

I also assigned each invite a number and put in on the back of the RSVP card in the corner. The RSVP card asked for the names so we would know the names of guests as well since each person had their own escort card. No one forgot to put their names in but it certainly does happen. You don't have to go the invisible ink route since no one will look at the back of the card or if they do, care that there's a little number in the corner on the back.

Numbering the back of my RSVP cards was a god send!!

I numbered my RSVP cards on the back. Didn't use invisible ink, just wrote very tiny number. I also too one to the post office to make sure I wouldn't need extra postage.

Some people have also had issues with RSVPs being sent back whithout being delivered because of putting return addresses on the back flap. I'd skip it just to be safe.

You may have considered this, and it may not be an option for you, but have you thought about ordering invites early on Black Friday or Cyber Monday to save?

@AlyssaWynne, that's what I'm doing.