Don’t forget to RSVP… Please!! Blogger Bride: Elizabeth

It's five months until our forever, so I decided to order the wedding invitations. This is the only task on my to do list that causes me to cringe. Is cringe the wrong word? Maybe I should add worry into that to. Ordering the invitations signify so much, for one it means that the guest list “should” be finalized by now. It also means that I have to face the fact that we have the dreaded four letter word to worry about RSVP! I have always heard horror stories of how couples, who are getting married, always have the hardest time dealing with the guest and RSVPing. Our wedding is somewhat unique in the fact that we are deciding to give our guest a choice of three entrees at our reception. These entrees are ones that my fiancé and I especially love and are special to us and signify our relationship. The guest can pick from a Thai dish, Mexican dish, and a Classic Southern Style Dish.

On our invitation RSVP cards, not only do you have to check whether or not you will be attending, but you also must place your name beside the entrée that you would like to eat at our reception. Even as I was placing the order all I could think about was, our guest better RSVP! Most of my future brides that are in the planning process or even those that have already gone through it can relate. RSVPing is important, when people RSVP you are able to tell your caterer, or reception hall how many guest they can prepare food for, it helps the couple decided about the seating chart for the reception, as well as helping you determine if there are any extra cost that you will acquire due to the number of guest that respond by RSVP. Now I know to explain all of this to your wedding guest is unnecessary, but sometimes I wish I could, so that they will understand when I begin to do my “Bridal Hunt” for their RSVP.

My fabulous wedding planner, Rechelle Ward of A-ward winning events has graciously told me that she would handle the RSVPs and will do the “dirty work” of making sure people respond in a timely fashion. I have strategically ordered my invitations early, and I will be sending them out September 19, 2011 with an October 19, 2011 RSVP return date. Yeah, I know a whole month before the wedding. There is a method to the madness (smile). I know in the end, I can't FORCE anyone to RSVP on time, even if I whip out the “Bridal Hunt you down” threat. All I can do is do my best on my end to make things as easy for the guest as possible, and in turn making things less stressful for myself and my future husband to be.

Brides out there, and all the vets of wedding planning, what has been your experience with RSVPs and guest counts for your wedding.

Was it as stressful as people made it seem? Do you have any suggestions on how to make it easier?

Until the next time!! Happy Planning


Elizabeth

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