Expert Survival Tip: What To Do When You Receive An Invitation
We have got another great Expert Tip from Wedding Planner Vicky Choy of Event Accomplished. Just like her previous advice on the topics of Hindu Wedding Rituals and the amazingly, on-the-money post: To Bring A Date Or Not To Bring A Date, she is back to help us all survive wedding season. This new topic: What To Do When You Receive An Invitation. Check out this response card Vicky sent as well. The poor bride has not a clue who is coming but can see by the smiley face that they are really happy to attend.
From Vicky:
What's missing from this RSVP? We have no idea who the two attending guests are! Even the smiley face they drew didn't help solve the mystery! Don't be like them! Write your names down.
1- Look At The Envelope:
The exact names of the invitees will be listed (see previous article).
2- On the RSVP card, you will likely see a “M” with a line after it or sometimes you just see a line. What to do:
Fill in your title and name, i.e. Mrs. Vicky Choy. Be sure to put down all those who will be attending and only those who will be attending, i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Jane Smith or Bob, Jane, Billy and Anne Smith if there are children (that were invited). The bride and groom will be using this information to fill out their escort cards. Please print legibly!
3- If the RSVP card also requests you to choose an entree for your dinner, please put your name or initials next to the entree of your choice:
For example, if you see a choice for beef or fish on the RSVP card, do not simply put “1 fish” and “1 beef”. How do the bride and groom know if Bob Smith or his wife Jane Smith is the one getting the beef and vice versa? The bride and groom will be providing this information to their caterer. Sometimes your entree choice is indicated on a place card so that the wait staff can easily serve you the correct entree.
4- Be sure to let your hosts know if you have any serious dietary restrictions:
This also applies if you have any food allergies. Today, most couples will offer a vegetarian option. This does not mean you tell your hosts of food items you simply do not enjoy; even if you do not like Brussels sprouts.
5- When do you mail back your RSVP:
As promptly as possible! If you definitely know either way, yay or nay, if you can attend please send the RSVP back immediately. This includes all the events you may be invited to like rehearsal dinners and post-wedding brunches.
There is no reason to hold on to that RSVP and it will really help the couple in finalizing how many of everything to order. If you are not sure if you can attend please try to resolve your plans before the RSVP due date. Adding and subtracting guests past the due date causes quite a bit of stress for engaged couples. For example, a couple is required by contract to provide their caterer with the final guest count by a certain date and that date is usually pretty early, especially if there are entree choices involved. Sometimes it can be as early as one month before the big day as chefs need to know how much food to order.
6- If lodging information is provided, please also make your hotel reservations promptly and preferably before the room block cut-off date.
Today’s couples are opting to greet their guests with welcome bags at their hotel rooms. This said, they really need to know how many of bags to make and when the first guest will check in. It is really for your benefit wedding guest.
Photo courtesy of Amy from www.Relentlessbride.com via Vicky Choy.
Related topics:
- Expert Survival Tip: Wedding Gifts That Won’t Break The Bank by Amber Gustafson
- Best Wishes Bride. Congratulations Groom.
- Email Never Looked So Elegant! Try Paperless Post.
- Expert Survival Tip: Rehearsal Dinner Toasting Tips by Kathy Goodman
- Expert Survival Tip: How To Fly Solo At A Wedding by Shula Melamed
- Best Wedding Guestbook - Hello Super 8
Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.
Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™
About the Author
Vicky Choy is the founder and president of Event Accomplished, a special events planning and management company based in Arlington, Virginia. After eight years in the corporate world managing proposals, project schedules and costs, Vicky started Event Accomplished in 2004 when she was looking for a different career where she could work closely with her clients, make an impact in their lives, and feel relatively quickly the sense of accomplishment when all your hard work has come together. Vicky feels weddings and special events are all about creating memories and celebrating life. Through thoughtful planning and exceptional execution, that EA team will help you put together a party with a style distinctively your own. They offer full service planning, vendor recommendations, design development, and event management throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Their goal is to make the planning process easier, less stressful and more fun! They want your event to reflect your desire to celebrate something wonderful. Clients like their dedication, responsiveness to your questions and needs, thorough preparation, balanced planning processes and organization that prevent you from being overwhelmed, and calm, straight-forward, and positive attitude.
Want your guests to say "that was the best party ever?" Event Accomplished can get it done! www.eventaccomplished.com
Tags: Dietary Restrictions, Event Accomplished, Vicky Choy, Wedding Blog, Wedding Guest Etiquette, Wedding Reception Entree Selection, Wedding RSVP
March 26th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
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