When it comes to planning a wedding there are a number of items that the bride, groom and their families plan for. Following the exciting moment of the engagement there is a long list of todos that every bride and groom starts on. On this long list of todo’s there is the daunting task of figuring out the “guest list”.

This guest list determines, the wedding location, the wedding budget, the wedding gifts, the food, the floral, the décor and pretty much everything else you can think of.

As a guest or an invitee, this is why it is SO crucial and important for you to RSVP. We hear from brides ALL the time, “well, I haven’t received all my RSVP’s back yet. I don’t know my final head count.” As a venue and a caterer those final numbers are beyond necessary for us to know.

With the final head count we can put in the final number of linens for chairs and tables. We can finalize the number of place settings, the number of benches and chairs for the ceremony and we can make sure to have enough food prepared for the reception and make sure that we don’t prepare too much food.

If your RSVP is expected to be mailed, chances are the couple has already provided you with the envelop and stamp for you, so all you need to do is mark “attending” or “not attending” and then place it in the mail. An even simpler way for you is when the ask you to email them. Open that window on your computer or push that icon on your smart phone that you use already everyday and shoot them a quick, “Congratulations! I can’t wait to be at your wedding!” or the “Congratulations! I wish I was going to be able to make it, I can’t wait to see the photos!”

Not only is it important to respond to your invitation but if you respond and say you’ll be there, then try to actually show up. Most wedding venues and caterers ask the bride and groom to give us a guaranteed number of guests 30 days prior to their wedding. What this means is that if they guarantee 200 guests will be at the ceremony then the get charged for 200 guests. But what if only 150 people show up? Then the bride and groom have now paid for an additional 50 guests that never get to enjoy their delicious meal that has been prepared for them and the dishes and napkins that were placed so beautifully on a well planned table never get used.

Really, let’s all just work on being more courteous guests. Let’s not add to the stress of the couple.

*Be looking for a follow up blog on how to keep your guest list down and on how to avoid the unexpected guests in the coming weeks!