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.

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I had my mind made up, I was going to spend as little as possible on a dress.

I started looking for dresses at non-wedding places like JCPenney, Target, and Jessica McClintock. Yes, Target sells wedding dresses. All I needed was a white dress, right? Besides, what are you supposed to do with a wedding dress after the wedding?

Halfway into my search I noticed that all the dresses were ugly so I couldn’t go that route. It was time for Plan B. I thought that if I ordered a dress online then I’d be able to get a pretty dress without spending an arm and a leg. My mother thought that was a terrible idea and that I needed to try on many dresses before I bought anything. We went to the bridal store, I fell in love with a dress, and I bought it then and there; without even thinking about the cost. Add in the overpriced undergarments that went with it, and I spent a lot more than I planned on. But in hindsight it was worth it.

So how much should you spend on a wedding dress?

Spend what you can afford. If you can afford a $6,000 designer dress then go for it; as long as you are comfortable with it. If that’s way out of your league then you can find plenty of nice dresses that are only a few hundred dollars. Maybe your entire budget is a few thousand and even a few hundred is too much. Try something different. Those dresses aren’t my style but it may work for you.

Whatever you choose, it’s up to you. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about the choice you make. Trust me, people will try.

_{You can debate where to buy your wedding dress, but there is no debating where to find the best wedding shoes. We have a great selection of women’s shoes including stylish steve madden shoes and ultra fun pastry shoes. celebrate your right to shoes.}

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