Small wedding: Are RSVP's pointless?

If you want to save money you can have people RSVP by email but I still like the paper ones so I have the actual card and don't have to worry about a computer glitch happening.

Are you having buffet or plated meal? If plated, how will they get their selection to you? I only had 30 people at mine, and I got all but 2 back, and I sent those 2 a text message. If it isn't that important to you, then go for it. Just make sure you can track the replies and make sure everyone has FB of course, lol. If my mom would have been down, I would have sent e-mails and used those replies. Oh well!

I would do it so people know it's more formal instead of just a get together. If they were in a facebook chat, they might say they'll be there and then not actually show up. Just my experience from my brother's wedding, they did RSVP on a facebook group and were expecting 80 people and only had about 50.

80 people is not such a small wedding. I would spend the extra couple of dollars on RSVPs. Most people will send them back. For those that don't, they won't respond on a website or by email either.

I was slightly kidding about the facebook chat, but great point Jae! I guess compared to all of the weddings I've been to/going to be at, ours is pretty tiny. I guess I'll spring for the traditional ones! I honestly haven't decided if I want buffet or plated...it's the same price, but plated seems a little fancy for what we're going for.

Eighty isn't really small. and you do need to know who is coming. I do love getting them too; a really pretty invitation is exciting!

We did an email rsvp and only 4 people have not responded it worked well for us!

I'm having a small wedding with 30 people (including us). I'm going to have the people RSVP online or call us. The RSVP information will be with the invitation.

Wow. so I totally forgot to include us on the guest list. dumb.

I thought about going the email RSVP route. But then I remembered how much I LOVE getting snail mail, so I'll spend a bit more and have something to look forward to!

I do love snail mail...

We're having 45 guests and went the invitation and RSVP route. Our wedding is very traditional and will include a plated meal, etc. so we wanted our invitations to set the tone/style of our event.

Kristen, the venue needs to know how many people to cook for, right?

SIL had less then 40 people and she sent out invites and paper RSVPs.

Pezzy...of course! It's not like I plan on not getting people to RSVP at all...I'm just trying to think of better (cheaper) ways than snail mail.

I just don't think the savings are worth it. Whatever invitations you get will probably already include RSVPs in the package, so you'd just be wasting them. And the postage won't even be $35 since you said 80 people - remember you only need as many invitations as there are households, not people. So what's the grand savings here, $15 in stamps?

Something like going for chicken or pork over steak will save you a lot more than $15.

Call me old fashioned, but I think a paper RSVP is important.

How much can you possibly save with not having traditional RSVP cards? We are inviting 70 guests and will send out RSVP cards to everyone.

Don't skimp out on the traditional RSVP, the online thing is tacky especially since you most likely won't be saving a huge amount.

There is nothing tacky about an online RSVP. Ina. Modern world of convenience, doing something to make it easier on a guest isn't tacky. However, some people are better with the mailed cards. We invited 235 people. We did online and card RSVP. We got a majority back by card. Do whatever makes it easier for your guests.

Online RSVPs are biting me in the ass! I've gotten a few FB messages with questions asking how to RSVP. But the WW wedding website doesn't work with Internet Explorer so I've had that to contend with as well. I also put both our phone numbers as RSVP options. I've not heard much one either. We had an RSVP insert with the RSVP options. Apparently people missed the neon green, orange, or hot pink card. Granted I still have 3 weeks before my deadline, but I've only had 60 of the 211 respond at all.

ETA: I wish I would've done snail mail RSVP.

I'd do the conventional RSVPs. You'll probably have to track some people down online, but I think most people will respond via mail. In the end, I think it will be easier for you to keep track of your guests.