Your experience with RSVPs

@maezee (41988)
United States
July 5, 2016 5:54am CST
So me and a couple gals are throwing one of my friends bridal showers. Sent out invites on 6/10 and as of today, 7/5 only 16 of 45 people invited have RSVPed either way. I gave a "deadline" to RSVP by 7/9. Four more days for almost 30 more folks to get on it... Do you think its just human nature to be last minute or maybe people think if youre not goingyou dont have to RSvP? (I always thought you had to RSVP either way but I could be wrong). What do you think? Also I have talked to a few people who give me different answers. Do you think its appropriate to plan for MORE people than who have RSVPed or less? What has been your experience?
6 people like this
8 responses
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
5 Jul 16
I think you need to email them all a reminder. And I'd always expect fewer people to turn up, not more.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
6 Jul 16
The sad thing is I dont have any emails, I sent the invites out via US mail.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
6 Jul 16
@boiboing Thanks! Good idea. Im not friends with them but I am sure I could search and find them!
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
6 Jul 16
@maezee That is a shame. People just don't do stuff by snail mail much these days. Are you friends with any of the people on Facebook? You could remind them about their RSVPs.
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Jul 16
Plan for more. Courtesy should indicate they RSVP but there will always be some that won't. There will always be the late ones as well.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
6 Jul 16
That always annoys me! I have heard of people who have parties and the folks that didnt RSVP show up. Agh!
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Jul 16
@maezee It happened to my niece for her baby shower. She had a lot more than RSVP'd, and a few members of the family who couldn't be there as my father passed that day.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
5 Jul 16
The proper protocol is to respond by the deadline date. This is a party that needs to have lots of people invited. And the right way is to send out invites. They can RSVP by mail, email, text or phone call. That way you know how many people will be there so you can make the proper arrangements.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
6 Jul 16
Yeah! Thanks. Thats exactly what I need. I just dont want to plan food for 16 people and then 40 show up...that would be quite the disaster!
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
7 Jul 16
@maezee I know what you mean. I know throwing a party is not an easy task. I am looking into setting something up for New Years Eve now. I need to touch base with my cousins. Hopefully we can pull it off. But if not, oh well. I hope things work out for you.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
5 Jul 16
Some people tend to ignore it, without taking into consideration that the host should be given the exact answer if they are coming or not. It can help them plan better on the amount of food to be prepared, also the venue.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
6 Jul 16
Right! The food is my main concern but also like how many chairs to bring and so forth. Frustrating!
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
5 Jul 16
Whether I go or not, I always reply to an RSVP in fairness to the one who sent the invitation.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
5 Jul 16
Thank you! Thats kind of what I think. But who makes these rules? Lol
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
5 Jul 16
@maezee I think it's just an unwritten rule which is followed out of courtesy and good etiquette.
@Chellezhere (5742)
• United States
5 Jul 16
Etiquette has gone completely out the door these days.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
6 Jul 16
Lol or so it seems.
• Canada
6 Jul 16
You're right when you say that you are "supposed" to RSVP either way... but people just won't do it. I have NO idea why people seem incapable of turning down an invitation! Rather than send their regrets, they just don't respond... and that is incredibly rude towards the people planning a function. It costs a LOT of money to host a shower, a party, etc., and there is nothing worse than buying food and drinks (and maybe favors, prizes, and all) for a bunch of people who aren't even going to be there! There are also plenty of folks that RSVP and say "yes" but they don't show up to the actual event. I always plan for more than the number that do confirm... but I'm never surprised when I have too much stuff :\
@Juliaacv (51485)
• Canada
5 Jul 16
I've not put on anything that required a reply, but I have been a guest who has to reply. I would imagine that it is not something that people do in a timely manner because I was at a bridal shower where I received a prize because I was the first person to reply to the invitation, and I remember waiting a bit to reply.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
5 Jul 16
Ha thats an interesting idea! I wonder why people wait a bit? Maybe they are still unsure of their schedules or something?
1 person likes this