3 Easy Ways to Collect Those Lingering Wedding RSVPs

Texting, calling, emailing, or sending carrier pigeons to try and collect those final wedding RSVPs? Who has time for that on top of all the other planning you’re managing (like a boss) and any lingering wedding stress? Not you! We’ve talked about the RSVP process before, so here are 3 more easy ways to avoid the anxiety and get people to RSVP to your wedding on time!

Step 1: Make it Simple!

Less is always more. In the case of invitations, this is also true. Your wedding website may be filled with robust information, such as directions, registry, events, and photos of the two of you. It looks great and it’s informative, but make sure the wedding RSVPs section is easily accessible and easy to use. Also provide explicit directions on how to RSVP with an exact date of when to reply by make it easy for guests to understand what to do when.

What’s in a deadline? Don’t forget to set the RSVP deadline two weeks before you actually need the responses to arrive. Let’s put it this way: it’s like telling your best friend who is always late to be there at 5pm when you don’t actually need to leave until 7. It’s just the way it is!

Step 2: Know Your Audience

You know your friends and family. Your best friends from college are all in a group text all the time. Your Great Aunt Cathy calls you every third Sunday at 2pm after mahjong with the ladies. Your mom is a verbal bullhorn live-tweeting service to all of her friends and immediate relatives. As you follow up on those last missing RSVPs, you want to cater to the communication channel that your guests use the most. Tweet, WhatsApp, Facebook and email away…. If email is easiest, Glö’s nifty Messages tool will help send a RSVP reminder email specifically to guests who have not RSVPed and include a direct link to your website (doesn’t get more subtle than that!) You can also tag and group your guests to keep track of who received a paper invitation (Grandpa Joe!) and will need a follow up phone call vs. who’s on the easier to reach email list. Send gentle reminders as needed, giving yourself plenty of time before the final deadline.

How to handle folks who don’t follow directions? Carry around a notebook or make a “note” on your phone with a running list of people who RSVP on the fly or give you a verbal “yes,” but never complete the RSVP process. Then add these RSVPs into your Glö RSVP list at a convenient time. 

Step 3: Be Prepared!

It’s not just a good scout’s motto, it’s a good motto for today’s engaged couples, too. Be prepared for a last minute “My dog has to have hip dysplasia surgery!” or a Snowpocolypse or Category 4 Hurricane (depending on where you are getting married and the time of year). Some people may not be able to make it at the very last second. And someone may have booked their flights, gotten you a present, and forgot to RSVP. It’ll happen. Just plan for it, be patient, and stay organized: you’ll be less stressed!

Do I have an “in-case-of-emergency-break-glass” option? When something “comes up,” remember to breathe! You don’t want to come off as a dreaded bridezilla (or the equally terrifying groomzilla) but you also don’t want to be stuck contacting half of your list in the final weeks before the wedding. You have other things to worry about! Worse comes to worse, you can call or text at the last minute. They’ll be embarrassed and you’ll be annoyed, but at least you’ll have your numbers.

To learn more about RSVP tricks and etiquette, see our complete guide to RSVPs!