Seating those who do not RSVP

I would just leave a few open seats, just in case. If these select people get mad that they aren't sitting with people they know, oh well, should have rsvp.

No. If you have guests that don't RSVP, follow up with them with a phone call. Don't accept a "maybe". Let them know you will take that as a decline.

I had a floater table (only because it didn't really affect our budget) just in case, but honestly my wedding planner gave me the option and said it wouldn't be my fault if those did not rsvp or declined just showed up. We are adults here. I've been to a wedding where the people who did not rsvp had to take a seat in the beautiful foyer until a set of seats were found for someone who didn't show. The couple said they were not upset because it was the husband's fault for forgetting to rsvp. Please make sure to check with all of your guests first to make sure nothing was lost in the mail.

Annakay should I make the phone call or should I have my Wedding Coordinator make it?

My first question would be will your venue be able to accommodate these guests? If so, then how many people are you expecting to not RSVP or track down? You will need to know this beforehand so that you will have enough tables and/or seating as well as your table decorations to seat everyone. I don't personally see a problem with adding a couple extra tables unless it will crowd other guests that did RSVP. However, I'm no expert on Seating charts since it's not the norm in my area. We just have tables for our guests to figure out where they want to sit. I am following because I'm very intrigued by this topic. Good luck!

I'm not at that point yet, but I'm planning on hunting people down who don't RSVP and telling them that a maybe will be considered a no. If people RSVP no and still show up, then it's they're fault that they don't have a seat.

You or FH should personally contact them not the wedding coordinator. I personally wouldn't worry about accommodating people that rsvp no but show up, only because what if you do plan (and pay!) for them and they don't come. You're out the money, when they told you they weren't coming!

I'll probably have a floater table as well. We just added two more people (four, with their guests) and the mock seating chart I had up (yes, I'm a planner and I figure it'll be easier to take stickies off once we do get our RSVPs back) has no room at any table.

I am expecting quite a few not to RSVP as it is not the norm here. However, after phone calls I would think no more than 10 would show up without an RSVP. My venue holds about 250 and we are only having a guest list of 200 and only expect about 150 of those to show. So yes we have plenty of room. At the same time my problem with the tables is I don't want to have a table that is empty because I overestimated who would show up without an RSVP.

MrsAtwood are you worried about that table being empty if no non rsvps show up?

You should make those phone calls yourself! Most often it will be people who just forgot to RSVP!

I didn't have this problem. Because I followed up with literally every single person and was told yes or no.

However, I did have a couple of empty spots per table (we did it to fill the room more but it was nice to have as well) in case some people brought a date after they rsvped that they didn't, but nobody used it.

I have a vendor table. If anyone shows up who RSVPd no but came anyway, they get to sit with my vendors.

Yall are so nice!!!

I will be calling those after my RSVP due date. But those who are unreachable and show up anyway will be directed to table 21...the bench outside of the venue. I put a stamp on the RSVP card. All you have to do is write your name and check a box. If someone cannot complete that simple task I will not have my DOC wasting her time during an already busy day to find them a seat.

If you haven't received an RSVP, you should reach out to your guests. If you don't hear back, leave a message or send an email that says, if I don't hear from you by XX date, I'll assume you're unable to attend.

You could have an extra table but you should really be tracking these people down beforehand to get a final RSVP. You need to tell them that you need final numbers for your caterer and venue now. There is no maybe. We made sure to find every single missing rsvp and get a final answer so we didn't have this problem but I can't imagine going to a wedding I didn't rsvp to.

Thanks Annakay! And I like that Idea Lindsey. I will have a few extra seats at the vendor table. I guess that could work. Nicole I am also going to have a few open seats here and there just because I know some people might bring a date that wasn't invited. I already know a lot of my guest do not understand the importance of an RSVP.

I'm definitely going to follow ya'lls advice and track them down. So I think if I just let them sit at the vendor table and fill in if there are any extra seats that is enough. You are right it is not something that is hard to do so I shouldn't have to stress over it. Thanks guys!

I agree with MsDani...if they don't RSVP and don't answer me when I follow up, they will not have a spot. Sorrynotsorry.

I feel the same way about people thinking our ceremony is too far. If you cannot drive 40 minutes from home to see us get married, then I don't want you there in the first place. (My dad is worried about this, mostly for the people he is inviting, in which case I don't care. My parents are already inviting more of their friends to the wedding than I am of my own friends.)

I agree with MsDani...if they don't RSVP and don't answer me when I follow up, they will not have a spot. Sorrynotsorry.

I feel the same way about people thinking our ceremony is too far. If you cannot drive 40 minutes from home to see us get married, then I don't want you there in the first place. (My dad is worried about this, mostly for the people he is inviting, in which case I don't care. My parents are already inviting more of their friends to the wedding than I am of my own friends.)