When is reasonable date to ask for final guest RSVP?

[JMikla]

Our wedding is Dec 3rd 2011. We arrange special pricing with our TA that is guaranteed until our departure and the RSVP deadline was Feb 25th. We had 60 people pay their $200 deposit and it didn't seem to be a problem.

 

There were about 15 people that couldn't commit so early and are ready to pay more come September if they try to book closer to the date, and they are fine with that.

 

If there wasnt a deadline and we just allowed people to book their own trip, I think there would have been a lag in RSVPs.

[soon2bmrspierce]

Glad I came across this thread.I was thinking of making my rsvp date 2-3 months ahead of time but now I'm thinking I need to make it earlier like you ladies.It will make things easier!

[tross84]

I second that. Glad I found you guys.  After reading this thread I think I'm going to ask for rsvps 6 months prior and then chase people down the following 3 or 4 months.  Thanks ladies!

[deannamarie85]

we asked for rsvp to be in four moths before our AHR reception since most of our guests will be traveling.

[Dellnia]

I am still early in the planning. Our wedding will be on June 16, 2012. If everyone is not confirmed (meaning their flights & hotel reservations) at least 60 days prior to the wedding, they will be automatically count as not attending.  I will not get stressed out because people are being inconsiderate. I too am very happy to be a part of this forum.

[NikkiT1021]

Our RSVP is 2 months our date.  If I had seen this thread before the invitations went to print, i may have changed it. However, we did send out our save the date's 1 year prior to our date and I have no problem calling people to see if they're coming. Also, I like Dellnia's idea of automatically counting people out if they don't respond on or by the date,  You're SO right, its not worth getting stressed over! 

[merrylee]

I was thinking 4-5 months, we sent out our STD's and we have a small room block b/c we honestly do not know how many people will end up going our minimum block is 5 rooms and I know we'll meet that, and we went out to 8 just in case, if all the maybes turn into yeses then the block will have to be increased, but I won't believe until it happens and we are still a year away.  We aren't sending our physical invites out until end of May our wedding is in April 2012 because I want the airfare to be available when the actual invites go out.

 

But I figure Christmas would be a good date for the RSVP's to be back by.  Maybe?  Our wedding is mid April, that is 4.5 months and I don't really want to chase people down, we'll be doing mailings and reminder post cards and what not...

[pfeiffla]

We definitely take the stand that 6 months is enough time.  Because it's a DW, they probably will have received plenty of communication from you over time, so it's not like they forgot!

[pfeiffla]

We agree with you!!  I think some people just don't respond because they have to face the fact that they most likely 'can't go' for whatever reason, not because they don't want to!  But, we believe that the people who will end up going, take care of business right away and we don't want to beg anyone to go, that's not the point!  If you have to call people to see if they're coming, then those are the same people that hold the cost of the trip and the fact that you wanted them to go, over your head for years to come.  We want to spend our time with those who made the effort to be there- willingly!!!

[deannamarie85]

Such great advice from all the ladies...as usual!