The deadline to receive the response cards for our reception is 1/28/05. I need to have an idea of the number by 1/29 because I have to pay the caterer 50% of the estimated costs. We've also reserved 2 rooms due to the number of people we've invited, but I can drop the smaller of the 2 if I do it this weekend. That will save a few hundred needed dollars. We've received 87 responses of the 211 we sent out. Should I assume that the people that have not responded by 1/28 are not coming? A very large percent of them are out of town guests coupled with the fact that a lot of my Mom's side of the family probably won't bother coming. I just don't want to over estimate too much since we're really on a tight budget. Is there a good rule of thumb for this, other than the 65% of the total number invited rule?
Why not give them a call and find out? It's much better to call them and assume that they just forgot to send it, than to end up with angry guests. Fellow Bride
I was afraid of that response. I don't have all the numbers and since I work all day, I don't have time to call over 150 guests. I'm thinking I might have to guestimate since I need a count by this Friday.
Please sit tight and wait for our wedding etiquette and consultant experts to post their thought. They have had a lot of experience in this area sso hopefully they wil have some suggestions. Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
Yikes! This is a great example for everyone else out there. Please make your RSVP date much sooner than one day before your commitment date to the caterer. Sometimes it is unavoidable, but if not, please do. Save yourself some grief.
Actually, I was going to say the same thing. At this point it is best to call as many guest that you think may come. You really need to find out as soon as possible. Not all of this has to be done entirely by you. Anyone close to you who knows the guest can call, such as your mother, sister, or aunt. Anyone close so it doesn't seem as if you don't care enough to call.
There really isn't a rule of thumb to know how many will not attend because there are so many variables, such as out of town guests. So... best of luck. Rebecca Black, Etiquette Now
Thanks. I don't have to have the exact count until 3 days before the reception which is Feb 12. I just need to have an idea so I don't pay them hundreds of dollars more than I need to for estimated costs.
If you can get email address you could save yourself a ton of time and send one email and blind copy all of your guests. This is where having a wedding website really comes in handy. The guests can RSVP right at the site; makes things so simple. Well, too late for you but maybe this thread will be helpful to future brides. Come back and let us know what works, will you?
Best of Luck Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
RSVP Question
