The last wedding invitation has been sent and now you can sit back and watch the RSVP’s roll in…right? Sometimes it’s not that simple!
Confirming the final guest list is right up there as one of the most challenging parts of wedding planning, whether it’s chasing replies or navigating tricky requests. Here’s how you wish you could respond (and how to actually respond) to the 10 most awkward wedding RSVP conversations!
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1. “I haven’t received my invitation yet. When can I expect it?”
What you wish you could say: “Is there a nice way to tell you that you’re not on the guest list?”
What you actually say: “I’m sorry but we haven’t been able to invite everyone we would like to.”
2. “Do we have to formally RSVP? You know we’ll be there.”
What you wish you could say: “Please just follow the instructions on the invitation.”
What you actually say: “That’s great! Let me just make a note of your numbers and catering preferences.”
3. “Aunt Evelyn was supposed to let you know we’re attending!”
What you wish you could say: “That’s a very complicated way to RSVP.”
What you actually say: “I didn’t get the message, sorry! It’s great you can make it. Can you just confirm how many are coming and if you have any dietary requirements?”
4. “We’ll try to be there.”
What you wish you could say: “I’ll try not to be frustrated by that reply.”
What you actually say: “No problem, we just need a solid answer by this date for seating and catering purposes.”
5. “Save two seats for me! I’m bringing my new partner.”
What you wish you could say: “There was no section on that RSVP for adding random strangers!”
What you actually say: “We’re so glad you can make it to the wedding, but unfortunately we don’t have the space to add a plus one.”
6. “My partner can’t attend, so I’ll just bring someone else.”
What you wish you could say: “That’s not really how the invitation works.”
What you actually say: “I’m so glad you can make it. There are a few people we’d still love to invite so we won’t be able to add your guest at this stage, but we’ll let you know if an extra place becomes available.”
7. “Can I bring a friend?”
What you wish you could say: “We really don’t want our wedding to turn into a spectator sport.”
What you actually say: “Unfortunately we’re unable to add a plus one due to tight numbers, but don’t worry! There’ll be other guests you know.”
8. “Can we bring our kids?”
What you wish you could say: “That part about it being an adults only wedding wasn’t a typo.”
What you actually say: “We love your little ones but unfortunately we’re unable to cater for all our guests’ children. We understand if you can’t make it, but it would great to be able celebrate with you.”
9. No response just before the RSVP date.
What you wish you could say: “Do you realise how much this is stressing us out?”
What you actually say: “The RSVP date is coming up for our wedding and I’d love to know if you can make it!”
10. No response after the RSVP date.
What you wish you could say: “RSVP literally means PLEASE RESPOND. We made it so easy for you with our wedding website, and stamped reply cards, and text message reminders…”
What you actually say: “Just wanting to confirm whether you can make it to the wedding? We’re about to send final numbers to our caterer.”
You totally have our approval to pour yourself a glass of wine now.
