Without a clear deadline, RSVPs drag and block caterer, seating, and lodging. In practice, expect 10 to 20% late responders even with a polished invitation.
Recommended RSVP timeline
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Deadline: 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding day
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First nudge: 3 to 5 days after the deadline (text or personal message)
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Second nudge: 10 days before for caterer lock-in
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Hard close: D-7 except edge cases
Tone of the follow-up
Short, factual, no guilt: « Hi, we are locking caterer numbers this week. Can you confirm your attendance? »
One contact per household to avoid conflicting replies.
How Fiancé can help
Fiancé's guest list handles RSVP, plus-ones, children, and dietary needs. The public page lets guests reply without creating an account. Nudge from the app and track who received save-the-dates, invitations, or menu choices. Every extra guest adds up: stress-test your cap with the budget calculator. Disclaimer
Please be advised that the contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and not professional advice. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, financial, or tax advice. The content reflects the opinions of the author and/or the Drakkar Software team. Drakkar Software does not guarantee any particular outcome.
About the author
Camille
Budget, guests & seating expert