Should I follow up with early RSVP responders?

I mean, they'll still need to respond to the actual invite. So if they don't, then yes, follow up with them. You're making this too complicated.

I think your 'follow up' will be the actual invite/RSVP request

I don't know what you mean by "follow up", but you will still send invitations to everyone who received an STD.

Don't expect anyone to respond to a Save the Date. People responding now need to respond again later. Don't worry about anything until after the invitations.

Everyone got a STD and everyone got a Wedding Invite regardless if they RSVP beforehand.

Hopefully they will RSVP when they get your invitation, but if not, I would follow up. It's not uncommon for people who are originally excited to end up not making the trip.

Hi Rita! Are they verbally telling you they're coming, or RSVPing online through a wedding website? If you have an online RSVP option I'd disable or hide it until invitation time so you don't deal with this early RSVP issue!

I sent Save the Dates and it had the wedding website on it. I wanted everyone to be able to make housing reservations as soon as possible (housing on the island can be limited during the weekend of our wedding). Some of our guests have already RSVP'd on the wedding website.

Everyone who received an STD will also get the invitation. I think the invitation will jog their memory and hopefully remind them to update their status if it has changed. I'm still concerned that some people will forget to do that.

@WWLynnie - I can disable the RSVP section (excellent point). I still need advice on what to do with the people who have already responded.

Also, even though the card says "Save the Date" on the front, some of our guests are mistaking it for the invitation. I hope they don't get the actual invitation later and think it's a repeat/mistake and still forget to respond :-).

People who get a STD far in advance might have something come up by the time the invites go out. We heard from a few people they definitely would not make it from the STD (other obligations such as a grandsons Bar Mitzfah which are more important to them than our wedding because it's family!).

However you'll get a second response by the actual RSVP card..I wouldn't worry about it!

Thanks everyone. I'm going to leave things as they are. We'll see what happens when the invites go out.

I'd say to future brides and grooms to have your online RSVP page disabled until the date you send out your actual invitations so as to not have to deal with the fear you have about early RSVPs not being accurate.

I think because some people have already RSVP'd, it would be confusing to disable it (unless it saves prior RSVP info? I'm not sure, I didn't? do online RSVPs). I think your plan to wait to see if any of the early RSVP guests update their RSVP and follow up after your deadline with anyone who RSVP'd early and didn't change their RSVP after you sent invites would be a good idea. Or, since you're having a DW, if the resort has a deadline for accommodations, follow up with guests who RSVP'd yes early and just say, "I know you RSVP'd a while ago, and I just wanted to check in to make sure you didn't have any questions about the resort and that your plans were all set." If something's changed and they hadn't followed through with booking everything, that would either remind them to get their butt in gear and confirm that they still intend to go with enough time to book, or remind them that they forgot to let you know they changed their minds. I know its frowned upon to hound people for RSVPs before the RSVP deadline, but given they already RSVP'd I think it might be okay to check in with these guests a little early to make sure they don't have any questions.

I sent out Save the Dates in November and will br sending out invites at the end of May. I've already gotten, "don't know my situation, mark me as no" or "don't think I'll be able to make it." I'm still sending them an invite with a handwritten note saying something like, "Let me know if anything changes. We would to have you celebratr with us."

Thank you BlueHenBride. I talked to FH about it as well and he doesn't think I should disable it as well. I'm going to export the list just before we send out invitations and contact all of the early responders that are NOT VIP and confirm their response. We're not contacting the VIPs because we know they'll be there and if not, they'll definitely let us know.

Your invitations shouldn't go out until August, especially since you've already sent STDs. August invites for an October wedding is standard and you only need to follow up with those who don't RSVP after your September deadline.