Planning a wedding is a beautiful, exciting, and—let’s be honest—sometimes stressful experience. One of the trickiest parts? How to wrangle stragglers when guests simply don’t RSVP. You’ve sent out the invites, set the deadline, and yet some guests are still radio silent. 😅
If you’re sitting there with a headcount still up in the air, don’t worry! You’re not alone. We’ve all been there. And it’s ANNOYING. Especially when you’re trying to wrap up your final catering count, your seating chart, your favors, etc., based on your final RSVPs!
To help you out, I’ve put together some creative, funny, and effective ways to follow up with those wedding guests who haven’t RSVPed yet.
7 Creative Ways to Follow Up When Guests Don’t RSVP
From polite reminders to playful guilt trips, and some passive aggressive nudges, these ideas will get the message across while keeping things light-hearted. Let’s dive in!
1. The Polite Nudge
Perfect for guests who just need a gentle reminder:
“Hi there! We’re finalizing our headcount for the wedding and noticed we haven’t received your RSVP yet. Let us know by [insert date] if you’ll be joining us—we’re excited to see you!”
It’s kind, it’s straightforward, and most importantly, it doesn’t come across as pushy.
2. The Playful Guilt Trip
For guests who need a little extra motivation to hit that “Reply” button:
“We know life gets busy, but don’t make us show up to your house in full wedding attire begging for an RSVP! 🕺💍 Save us the trouble and let us know if you’re coming!”
This approach adds humor without being too harsh—just enough to make them smile while they quickly text back, “I’ll be there!”
3. The BYO Sandwich & Chair Scenario
Need to get the message across with a laugh? Try this:
“If we don’t hear from you by [insert date], feel free to bring a sandwich and a chair because we’ll assume you’re going picnic style at the wedding! 🧺🍷😉”
This is a lighthearted way to say, “We really need to know if you’re coming!” It gives a clear deadline while keeping the tone fun and memorable.
4. The Sarcastic Twist
For your closest friends or family members who can handle a little sarcasm:
“Wedding planning is tough, but waiting for RSVPs might be the real endurance test! We’ll survive, but only if we know you’re coming! 🏋️♀️”
This playful approach keeps things fun but lets them know it’s time to get serious about replying!
5. The Private Investigator
Because sometimes you need to get a little creative:
“Still haven’t heard back… Don’t make us send a carrier pigeon, people! 🕊️🔍 We’d love to know if we’ll see you at the wedding—RSVP by [insert date]!”
If they haven’t responded by now, they might appreciate the lighthearted push, and who doesn’t love a pigeon joke?
6. The Final Countdown
For when you’re getting really close to the big day:
“We’re getting so close to the big day! Only [number of days] left, and we’d love to know if you’ll be there to celebrate with us. Please RSVP by [insert date] before we finalize the headcount!”
This is a more serious, no-frills approach, but still friendly and respectful. It lets your guests know it’s their last chance to RSVP before decisions are made.
7. The Cake Threat
We saved the most dramatic for last:
“Studies show that forgetting to RSVP may result in a tragic lack of wedding cake… 🍰 Don’t let that happen to you! Let us know if you’re coming!”
Who could resist the possibility of missing out on cake? This one is sure to get a few laughs—and RSVPs.
Follow-up Tips When Guests Don’t RSVP
- Timing is Key: Give guests a little grace (a week or so) after the original deadline before sending any follow-up messages. People do forget, but a gentle reminder soon after will keep things moving.
- Choose the Right Approach: Tailor your message to your relationship with the guest. Close friends and family can handle a fun guilt trip or a sarcastic comment, while acquaintances or distant relatives might respond better to a polite nudge.
- Multiple Methods: Some guests may have simply missed your follow-up, and a direct message might do the trick. If you still haven’t heard back after a message or two, consider other ways to reach out—phone calls, text messages, or even a quick email. Your wedding website may also have capabilities for messaging guests who don’t RSVP by the deadline.
When Guests Don’t RSVP and No Show Planning
At the end of the day, if after multiple attempts, you still haven’t gotten an answer, it’s OK to assume a no-show. In fact, according to The Knot, even a small percentage of guests who did RSVP may not end up showing up for the wedding due to unforseen circumstances, so it’s best to build some flexibility into your seating plan regardless.
At the end of the day, getting those RSVPs in can be a challenge, but with a little humor and creativity, you’ll get the responses you need. Whether you go the polite route or decide to have a little fun with it, just remember—your wedding is a celebration of love, and it’s all going to come together beautifully! 💍🎉
Happy wedding planning, and good luck chasing down those last few RSVPs!
And… for after the wedding, when you and your better half or enjoying marital bliss and want to get the friends and family together… come back from all my savvy hosting and entertaing tips! 😉
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