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How Long do Guests Need to RSVP?
Q: How long should we give people to RSVP. I keep getting different answers.
A: It depends on who you ask but let me start by saying be prepared for people NOT to respond either way. Some people think that you only RSVP if you are coming, some people don’t think it’s important to RSVP either way, and others think they can RSVP whenever they want regardless of the date you set.
I knew this before I sent out invitations, yet for some reason I thought I’d be immune to it. I was going to be one up on everyone because I figured I’d make it so easy that people would have no choice but to be courteous. I was wrong, and this was one of my biggest frustrations.
Back to the topic at hand. You want to give people enough time to clear their schedules and procrastinate, but you don’t want to give so much time that they forget. For example, if you are getting married in June there is no reason that people should have to RSVP by April. Few people know what they are doing 2 months from now and things come up. If you are having a destination wedding then that’s a different story.
It depends on when you need the final headcount but I’d say a month to 2 weeks before. ALWAYS allow for extra time to call people because as I said, some do not respond. So if you need the headcount by June 3rd, don’t make the RSVP date June 2nd. Add a week so you’ll have time to get everything together with as little stress to you as possible.
I am starting to plan my wedding for next July. We are having it a twelve hour drive from were the majority of our friends and family are coming from. I want to get as much as I can get done this summer as I am finishing up school September to April. I am having trouble setting an RSVP date that will work for everyone.