Post # 1
Member
2657 posts
Sugar bee
Bees,
I have heard so much of this issue that Im trying to come up with some kind of wording that I would like to put on the invite and on the RSVP card. SO this doesnt happen to me. And to help other bees. What can we bees use?? COme on ladies lets help each other.
I dont know…..something. In bold letters. SOmething thats not rude but that people will see and take action. I know there will be some people even after reading it, will not send it in, even on time but Im hoping it will spur some people on. I dont want more then half my guests waiting too long to send back.
Like Ive seen some of u bees having to deal with that. Im not going through it but I already get annoyed by it. Cant imagine how I will be when Im going through it myself.lol
Post # 3
Member
6512 posts
Bee Keeper
I like “The sooner…” option – it gives a pretty solid reason goading people into action.
Post # 4
Member
1269 posts
Bumble bee
I think I would leave anything extra out. If they can’t respond to “Please respond by x date” then I don’t think an extra sentence will help either. It really is inevitable that you will have to followup. Just assign someone to help you. A lot of those sentences seem to be a little negative to me and I would read it as a bit rude.
Post # 5
Member
7174 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I had a lot of people (my mother included) think it was polite to wait until the reply by date.
What about something like: “(With baited breath), We look forward to your reply! The sooner the better, but, please, no later than X”
ETA: I don’t think this will solve the issue of people not responding, though!
Post # 6
Member
120 posts
Blushing bee
Are you going to also put an RSVP date? I would do a combination of both, but I still don’t think it will help 🙂 People just don’t respond! Maybe something like “RSVP by September 1st, 2012. You know the date, don’t hesitate!” If you like the rhyming thing 🙂
Post # 7
Member
2657 posts
Sugar bee
@Talishazwi:I know. Thats the only problem. Theres no good way to push people toward sending them in. I read somewhere here that her deadline is tomorrow and shes got only five RSVPs back!!! Thats insane! WHich ones did u think werent rude? The 4th and the 6th?? If u did decide to use one of them, which one?
Post # 8
Member
2657 posts
Sugar bee
@oracle:I like that.
@PollyPlanner:I like that also. SOme good, but not rude possibilities here.
Post # 9
Hostess
16215 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I agree that unfortunately I’d just leave it at, “The favor of a reply is requested by [DATE].” You can always build in extra time, i.e. set your RSVP date two weeks before you actually need it. I am not sure any kind of extra wording will truly make people send their cards back more quickly. I wish it would!
Post # 10
Member
4583 posts
Honey bee
There will always be people who won’t send their cards back on time (or at all, like most of my family) no matter what you print on it. No offense, because I know you’re trying to be as nice as possible, but most of your options come off as a bit snarky to me. I went with “Kindly respond by X” and hoped for the best.
Post # 11
Member
2657 posts
Sugar bee
SO it looks like from what bees are saying theres no nice way of putting it. Except to say the normal thing of please respond by this date.
But I do like the idea of putting the date 2 weeks before I even need it. Good idea.
Post # 12
Member
7174 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@Earlybride: I padded my RSVP date by 3 1/2 weeks – it was enough time to not stress out with the stragglers and not feel completely overwhelemed. Hopefully you don’t have to turn in catering numbers too early… we only needed to turn ours in 3 days prior.
Post # 14
Member
7694 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I think the “Please be kind . . . is kinda cute
Post # 15
Member
375 posts
Helper bee
I am 2 days away from my RSVP deadline, and am still waiting on 97 (!!!!!) people. I honestly think they are deliberately waiting, because they have told Future Mother-In-Law they are coming, or said “See you in October!” on Facebook, or reserved their FLIGHTS, and haven’t actually, officially told me they are coming yet.
I wish I could have put something to the effect of “the sooner, the better” on my response cards, and if I was having a more casual wedding, I would have. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t have really matched to formality of the rest of the invite.
I also would have done the “______ spots have been reserved in your honor” thing, but I had heard too much about how that was the T-word. Screw tacky, it would have saved me a lot of awkward phone calls!
…ok, back on topic. I selected the “Be kind, RSVP on time” response because I thought it was clever. Although, depending on some of your guests’ age, they may not get the reference :).
Post # 16
Member
2053 posts
Buzzing bee
How about, “Kindly respond by ____ date. If you don’t, we will be forced to send the RSVP zombies after you…and you don’t want the RSVP zombies to come to your house, do you?”
