I guarantee, the moment that first RSVP card arrives you will be so excited! But what do you do if the cards arrive with no name or you there are missing cards after the RSVP deadline? In sharing my approach to RSVP cards I hope to help alleviate some RSVP card anxiety.

It’s hard to believe you’ll receive an RSVP card with simply a box checked and no names, but it will happen. There are a couple of approaches you can take to avoid the guessing game. The first one is to number each card in a bottom corner and associate each number with the names in a spreadsheet. When that card arrives with no name, you can go to your spreadsheet and you will know exactly who is coming! A more time consuming, yet more personal approach, is to write the guests name on the RSVP as you stuff the invitations and address the envelope.

Allow guests between two and three weeks after receiving your invitation to RSVP. Also make it convenient for them to reply promptly. You can enclose a pre-addressed and stamped return envelope or postcard with the invitations and/or register for a free wedding web page with RSVP options.

Make the RSVP deadline four weeks before your wedding. Two weeks before your big day, call, or have a member of the bridal party call, invited guests who have not responded. This still leaves time to give your vendors a final head count.

Photo captured by Sweet Tea Studios.