Expect to have to remind people to respond to your invitation.
The typical modern wedding invitation not only says, “RSVP” or “The favor of a reply is requested,” but it also contains a pre-printed reply card and a postage-paid envelope. Despite the ease of replying, many of those honored with a wedding invitation never reply.
According to Miss Manners, there ought to be no need to request a reply, much less enclose a card. Anyone receiving an invitation is supposed to know to reply with a hand-written note in the style of the invitation.
As anyone who has sent out invitations knows, though, the immediate reply is the exception rather than the rule. The unfortunate fact is that after sending out invitations, it will be necessary to follow up with your guests. There will be some who don’t reply, either with an acceptance or with regrets. There are those who don’t reply “because of course I will be there” and there are those who don’t reply “because I can’t make it, anyway.” Unfortunately, you never know which of those is the case.
Expect to call or e-mail your guests starting about three weeks before your wedding. You will need to know how many are coming so you can tell your caterer, so be polite, be persistent, and try not to think about what Miss Manners would say.
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