Chasing responses to invites

GlamGirlie

Hi all,

I'm just after a general consensus as to when people return wedding invite responses, please.

We sent our invites out in May, with an RSVP date of 20th September.

Now I know we aren't there yet, but we still have almost 20 outstanding!

We sent stamped, addressed reply cards with the invitations so there is no reason for people not to return them.

I sent out a 'bcc' chaser email on Friday, and I've not had a single reply yet.

I don't want to be a nuisance by keep chasing people, but at the same time we have to give numbers to the venue by 1st October.

If people don't want to come or can't come then that's entirely OK, but I need to know! :mad:

Can anyone give me any tips on how to get responses out of people, please?

Timpu

GlamGirlie wrote: »

I sent out a 'bcc' chaser email on Friday, and I've not had a single reply yet.

I don't want to be a nuisance by keep chasing people, but at the same time we have to give numbers to the venue by 1st October.

Are the outstanding responses family or friends? Are they likely to check emails regularly? If unlikely, a phone call or text might help, or use FB messaging.

You may need to enlist the help of those who have replied by asking them to have a quiet word with those yet to get back to you. A gentle 'We're very excited to be going to GlamGirlie's wedding, aren't you?' seemed to be all that was needed in some instances.

When my friend got married a few years ago she received a lot of rsvps the weekend after sending out the invitations and a flurry the weekend of the deadline. We had much the same with a few stragglers needing prompting.

GlamGirlie

Thanks Timpu.

They are not really FB users, but a phone call is my text plan of action.

I do like your idea of asking those who have already replied to have a quiet word, though! Thanks

Stephb1986_2

Or send out a message saying those that have not rsvp'ed won't be have a meal or a place unless they rsvp.

Steph xx

74jax

I didn't chase RSVPs. Those that didn't have the thought to reply I took as not coming. We only had a small wedding though - 20 to day and 90 to evening, so we were constantly talking to friends anyway so they just told us we were coming verbally.

I had a couple of cousins in Ireland who didn't RSVP and the week before asked for hotel info, it was fine though as I just said they didn't RSVP so I hadn't included them.

If you sent them an invite in May and they haven't even acknowledge it, or even called to see how you are etc then I wouldn't chase. If it was someone you talk to all the time I'd just ask them. At the end of the day you want those who can't be bothered to even acknowledge an invite to share your day, not someone who ignores it.

DigForVictory

Delegate. Hand the names & phone numbers to a bridesmaid. Who doesn't have to be sweet, or charming, or photogenic now, just determined.
Or pick a family member really struggling with funding a wedding present, hand them your phone & explain this is the gift money can't buy that you Really Want.
Let them decide on tactics & stay in ignorance. Should anyone later turn around & complain, (a) you knew nothing of it & (b) why on earth did they allow themselves to land in such a silly position?

GlamGirlie

DigForVictory wrote: »

Delegate. Hand the names & phone numbers to a bridesmaid. Who doesn't have to be sweet, or charming, or photogenic now, just determined.
Or pick a family member really struggling with funding a wedding present, hand them your phone & explain this is the gift money can't buy that you Really Want.
Let them decide on tactics & stay in ignorance. Should anyone later turn around & complain, (a) you knew nothing of it & (b) why on earth did they allow themselves to land in such a silly position?

Dig for Victory, this is genius, thank you so much! (Although whether my bridesmaids will thank you is a different question....!)

DigForVictory

You are very kind to describe a nasty sense of humour & worryingly few inhibitions as genius.
You are the bride. You are supposed to be wonderful, lovely, radiant etc (ye gods, the job description for the day is enough to make a sensible lass reach for a restorative) so as long as you have a well deployed team, you will be *all* the required adjectives as well as the unspoken "canny" & "victorious"!

ska_lover

oh GOSH, that was one thing that caused me massive amounts of stress. We had to chase people for ages as some didn't seem to be able to give a straight answer..drove us mad