The RSVP

This photo has nothing to do with this post. It's just pretty. And makes me think of spring.

Anywho. . .

My sister and I were married less than a year apart. She got married in October, and Ryan and I got married in September the following year. If there's any chance you can arrange something like this, I highly recommend it. Just make sure you're the one that gets married second. Why? Because I learned so much from her experience.

One of the biggest things we learned from my sister's wedding. . . no RSVP cards. Whhhat? No RSVP cards? But how did we know how many people were coming? Without a head count how did the caterer know how much food to make? How did the baker know how many servings to make the cake?

After my sister's wedding we learned RSVPs just aren't accurate. Typically RSVP cards are to be returned 3-4 weeks prior to the wedding date. That gives vendors enough time to work with the final head count. But in the world of life, 3-4 weeks is a long time. People who RSVP'd and said they were coming to my sister's wedding didn't. And people who said they weren't actually showed up. You can't fault people for it. Things come up. Life happens. Not much they - or you - can do about it.

Matter of fact, the last wedding I RSVP'd for was wrong. At the time I RSVP'd for 2.5 (although adorable, Owen doesn't exactly count). And the week before the wedding the weather changed Ryan's plans, and he wasn't able to attend.

My recommendation - trust your vendors. They know what to expect. If you give them the total number of people you invited, they'll be able to estimate the number of attendees based on a percentage.

And it might just save you some stress in the process. Especially if your guest list is approaching the maximum capacity for any of your venues. If most people RSVP saying they're coming you may panic thinking you won't have enough room, when in all actuality some of those people won't be able to make it last minute. In some aspects of wedding planning, ignorance is bliss.

Not to mention, it saves you money on printing, paper, and postage!