You have probably been planning your wedding for 12 months or more, pouring your everything into it.
Making sure it is going to be a day to remember, not only for yourself but for your guests as well!
But one thing is still left on the planning list…. The RSVPs🤯
Once you have sent out your wedding invitations,
it is so exciting to finally get to watch those “Yes!” RSVPs roll in.
But getting people to RSVP on time can feel like a bit of an impossible task.
Whether you send invitations on paper or electronically, or a mixture of both.
If you sent traditional invitations, RSVP cards were part of your invitation suite.
RSVP cards—and the postmarked envelopes that they come with–
make it easy for guests to say yes, they can make it or regretfully decline.
However, that does not mean they will not forget.
Even if you have sent your invitations digitally, it still can be super easy for your guests to
forget to let you know if they are going to be attending or not.
Your guests may not realise why you need to know if they are coming or not.
But many weddings operate on a “per person” basis. You need at least a close estimate of the guest
numbers to make a lot of decisions from the venue to the
catering to the florist who will have to outfit the tables with centrepieces.
You also cannot properly create your wedding seating plan
without a set tally of those who are coming and those who are not.
The easier it is to RSVP; the more people will do it on time⏱️
This is not to say everyone will, but it will certainly help.
Even if you are sending out paper invitations, consider using an online provider like RSVPify to collect your RSVPs.
For most of us, signing onto a website is much easier than finding the stamps. rsvpify.com or similar for
your RSVPs is as quick and easy as it gets for your guests📧
It also simplifies things for you since you will not have to do any of the tallying yourself.
If you have relatives or friends who are not computer-savvy, you can make an exception for them specifically.
For instance, send Grandma a paper invitation and RSVP card, but then send your cousins & other extended families a digital copy💌
Well, if we haven’t met- then Hi, I’m Schuggie, and I run the multi-award-winning Schuggies-Ceilidhs (it’s pronounced ShUUg- eee s – Kay-Laes btw🎉).
I’ve been hosting wedding ceilidhs since 2012, and that means I’ve experienced well over 150 in all sorts of themes and alternatives.
Whilst I talk about nudging your guests to send the RSVP’s back in this blog, most of my couples still have a few that forget🙄 So these tips have been gleaned for conversations across the board, what worked along with on reflection what some wish they had done.
As you consider your plans to make this the best day of your lives, if you need help; then book a chat and I’d be happy to help, even if I’m not actually involved in your wedding.
The main thing to remember here is not to overcomplicate things.
Keep it simple and spell it out to your guests.
Put your RSVP date directly on your RSVP card or e-card, and tell your guests exactly how to reply, whether that is in the mail or online.
Give them enough time to figure out if they can come, but not so much time that they completely forget.
Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent in the post about 4-5 months before the wedding date.
This gives enough time for the invitations to get to your guests, for them to work out the planning and to
return their RSVP card within the requested timeline (usually two months before the wedding date) 📅
If you are a little ahead or behind this timeline, there is no reason to worry🤯
This may impact when you receive any last-minute RSVPs, though…
(If you are having a destination wedding or a wedding over the holidays, your guests might need a little more time.)
Before the RSVP deadline has arrived, you can (and should) send some kind of reminder.
Do not worry or feel like you are being overbearing.
Your guests have every intention of letting you know of their attendance, but they are only human,
life has a habit of getting in the way and people forget😧
It is much easier to remind people before a deadline than after when you are feeling the pressure.
So about two weeks before the deadline, you can begin sending out little polite reminders.
Just make sure you are not sending this to everyone on the guest list📨
You can be gentle and kind while still firmly asking for the RSVPs by a certain date.
Here are examples of RSVP reminder wordings that do just that.
We want to remind all our lovely guests to RSVP by the [XYZ] due date.
*You can be excited and firm at the same time.
We have been busy bees with all the wedding planning and wanted to share some news with you all about the progress.
We were able to confirm our favourite local band to play all the best groovy tunes which have gotten us even more excited to see you all.
Get ready to get funky on the dance floor with us by RSVPing by [XYZ].
*Adding a bit of detail and update to the wedding will get your guests excited about attending.
This will also soften the tone of your reminder notice.
The two-week countdown to the wedding has begun!
As we prepare to make the final arrangements, we will need to have the exact headcount so please remember the RSVPs are due [XYZ].
*By using words like ‘final’ and ‘exact’ you are telling your guests that your RSVPs and their due dates are not optional.
This is especially important as the due date approaches.
Even if you do magically get all your guests to RSVP on time, things happen,
and there is a good chance someone will have to change their answer last minute.
For your sanity, pad the numbers you give the caterer, venue, or planner.
That way, when Uncle Edward calls the day the reception to tell you, good news,
he can make it, or your cousin is now bringing a plus one, you will not have to seat them in the kitchen.
Planning for a few extras will help ease last-minute planning stress.
If they do not show it is still a win, as it means someone gets an extra plate of salmon and
we all know how much wedding guests love wedding food!
By the time your first dance and ceilidh are underway, the stress of nudging those RSVP’s and #wedmin will be a dim and distant memory.
However, you decided though, having fun, social and inclusive🌈 wedding entertainment that your guests
will rave about for years to come- is certainly the right choice.
Hi, if you skimmed past my introduction earlier-
Hello, I’m Schuggie and I run Schuggies-Ceilidhs.
I specialise in providing high-quality authentic Scottish style (well I am from Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland) ceilidhs with a contemporary twist. I know how to make sure everyone has a great time.
I’m a multi-award-winning Scottish Ceilidh-Caller based in the East Midlands🏆
So when it comes to your wedding entertainment regardless of whether you’ve gone with a marquee, yurt or tipi I’m the perfect solution!
A ceilidh (pr. kay-lea) is probably the most inclusive dancefloor you could have
It doesn’t matter how many of them you’ve done before, or if you’ve done none at all.
The person calling the dances tells everyone what they need to do, and keeps it going.
Everyone dances with everyone, whether you know each other or not.
The more people the better! Everyone gets a go. No one has the chance to bust different moves, and because no one *really* knows what’s going on😍and it’s very difficult to feel self-conscious.
Essentially, most people are just guessing what they’re supposed to be doing, and that makes it brilliant.
You can check out my Prices and Availability online. You can even book your day and pay your deposit here without getting off your sofa.
Still not sure, I’ve loads of Testimonials and Reviews on Google & Facebook to reassure you that I am as good as I day I am. You can stalk me over social media- Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and even TikTok.
Did you know you don’t actually have to have that traditional first dance? If you book a ceilidh to celebrate your wedding (preferably with me calling obvs) then you have fun, social and inclusive entertainment to keep your guests entertained all night AND you can have a ceilidh first dance alternative.
Click this link to check out my free wedding planning download on the subject.
How to make your wedding unique with an alternative to a traditional first dance.
What else? Well here are some Tips for wedding speeches
Feeling anxious as you build up to the big day? Here is another blog that is sure to help How To Minimise Anxiety As You Plan Your Wedding
Finally, you can book a ceilidh chat here and talk through your plans- or get some inspiration from me. Either through Zoom, Teams, Skype, WhatsApp or just a phone call. It’s not a sales call so you can relax.
Every dance called, everyone included — and a full dancefloor all night.