The Big Fake Wedding Dallas is coming up this Thursday, and we are so excited, that we wanted to give you a sneak peek at our fabulous day-of coordinator, Danielle, of One Fine Day Events. Danielle’s fun-loving personality, attention to detail, and creative spirit help make the wedding planning process fun, enjoyable, and stress-free. Can we get an amen to that?! We’re so excited to have her with us on the blog today to share the do’s and don’ts when it comes to your RSVPs.
In 2002, One Fine Day began as an event planning company providing clients with certified advisors to help them through wedding planning and day-of logistics. Whether it’s a corporate gala for 300 or an intimate gathering of 30, her team is committed to bringing to life specific design elements that reflect their clients’ dreams and visions. Working closely with each client, One Fine Day picks up on the special characteristics that will make each event truly unique to her client. Their goal is to create that “one fine day” memory to make you happy wherever you may go.
To RSVP or Not to RSVP
Répondez s’il vous plaît is a French phrase meaning “please respond.” This phrase has been used to instruct formally invited guests that an indication of attendance is requested. Many English speakers have adopted the phrase, “respond so very promptly” to convey the same message of intent in private social gatherings. As French loses its hold as the international language, so does the power of the four letters that commonly abbreviate the response system that is a vital part of any event – RSVP.
The Guest List:
From the minute you get engaged, people will ask you about upcoming details and when they should expect an invitation in the mail. Wanting to include everyone in your celebrating of this special occasion is a natural reaction, but may not be realistic for your budget. An average wedding will have 80% of the invited guests attending, but you should plan your budget with all of your guests attending in mind. Just because they have not sent in their regrets to your event by the due date, does not mean that their RSVP card will not show up in the mail two days before the wedding with two or three additional guests.
The Inner Envelope:
Couples who have opted to create their own invitations, may see skipping the inner envelope as a way to reduce envelope weight and overall cost for their invitations without knowing its true importance. The inner envelope informs the recipients who has been invited to the event by listing first name(s) or nicknames of the guests. Typically, young children are only welcome to join the festivities when their name is listed. It is advised not to use “and family”, because it is too general of an invitation and does not give a specific head count. If a family member’s name or “and guest” is not listed on the inner envelope, it is not appropriate to bring additional people.
The RSVP Due Date:
It is an honor to receive a wedding invitation and not a requirement, so letting your host know if you will or will not be there is common courtesy. Most caterers will want to know your final head count five to seven days before your big day. This gives them the adequate amount of time to prepare and order the freshest ingredients for the menu you have meticulously put together for friends and family to enjoy. Placing your RSVP due date 3 weeks before the wedding gives you the appropriate amount of time to log the responses and verify with all the guests prior to the final headcount date.
The Unplanned Guests:
A lack of attendance notification is becoming a common occurrence with weddings, and it is not limited to the younger generation. There are many details that go into a guest list for large events, and unannounced attendance can change the cost and design of your wedding quite quickly. Unplanned guests can alter the head count for your food budget as well as exceed the number of guests able to be sat at a given table. This unexpected arrival can increase number of tables, seating, dinning wear, linens, escort cards or seating charts and table décor needed for your reception. Sometimes it is not as simple as “just pulling up a chair.” The price for renting the venue can also increase as the guest count rises beyond your package or contracted amount.
The Solution:
Many couples hire a certified wedding planner to help with their RSVP maintenance, booking hotel accommodations, rehearsal details and providing a designated person to facilitate any needs that arise about the event. Working with a planner during the creation of your guest list can alleviate a majority of the stress many couples endure throughout the entire process. It is the job of the planner to ensure all guests, invited and in your wedding party, know how to get to the wedding location, directions from the hotel or what transportation has been arranged for them. They can also be the point of contact for out of town or local guests to answer event questions so the families of the bride and groom can fully enjoy the weeks leading up to the wedding.
Photo Credits:
Rusted Stone Photography | Susan Gilbert Photography | Southern Flair Photography | Mia Coelho Photography
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