When including an RSVP in a wedding invite, how long to you give to have those invited to respond back?

Question

I am getting married in a little over 4 months and we are getting ready to prepare our invitations. We are unsure of how much time we need to give our guests to RSVP. I have been told that we should have all the RSVPs like a week before the wedding but to me that doesn't sound like nearly enough time to get the food ordered and prepared especially since we are doing all that ourselves. Please help.

Answer 1

I sent my invites out 7 weeks in advance, and they have to RSVP 3 weeks before the wedding.

Answer 2

While technically one should respond to an RSVP within 24 hours of receiving it don't expect this! I would give them at least 3-4 weeks.

However set a deadline on that so that you can get an accurate count.... you might also consider a regrets only RSVP so that only those who AREN'T coming let you know. This can work but isn't always as accurate, depends on how many invites you are sending.

And don't give in at the last minute to people who change their minds! Gently tell them that you would LOVE to have them at the ceremony but the catering has been set so you regret they can not attend the reception.

Answer 3

Give then 2-3 weeks to r espond but allow yourself 2-3 weeks before the wedding. Alot of people will not respond and you will probably need to get on phone and start calling as you will need a head count for food, etc. It's sad that people don't pay more attention to RSVP's.

Answer 4

You should give guest 1 month (4 weeks) to respond and you should make that respond date 1 month before your wedding. You will need to know so that you can give a final count to the caterer. So that means if you are getting married in four months, and you send out the invites today, you should have a final number in two months time. Plenty of time to get the food together.

Answer 5

Well, the good thing about doing the food yourselves is that you don't have to have an exact count. Your suppose to send out invites anywhere from 4 - 6 weeks before the wedding. Add a couple weeks if they are out of country. So, if you give them 3 - 4 weeks to respond, you should have a close enough count to prepare your own food. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Since most caterers ask to have a final head count 2 weeks before the wedding, I would do a couple of weeks before that. I did four weeks before the wedding, this gave me two weeks to call everyone who hasn't RSVP so I can have a good final count to give to the caterer two weeks before the wedding.

Answer 7

i got married in 2001 and i talked to a couple of places and they told me i should get all RSVP by a month before the wedding in my case i talked to the people who was doing the food and they wanted at least six weeks ahead so they can plan it . do not do just a week that is not enough time. i hope this helps i would do at least 4to 6 weeks we are going to a wedding in Aug and we had to respond already.

Answer 8

You should set the RSVP date for 7-14 days before your caterer needs the final numbers for your meal. Your caterer should be able to tell you when this is (it should be in your contract). One or two weeks gives you enough time to call the people who have yet to RSVP.

Answer 9

I gave them 3 weeks. So this way the first week, I'm going to have to call people who didn't send them back to me to find out if they'll be coming. Then I'll have 2 weeks to figure out my numbers, seating chart, and catering.

Answer 10

At least one month before the wedding so you can give a final count to your banquet facility.