I think I sent invites too early!! Help!

[Ashleykmorgan]

Soo I sent my invites out the end of October for my June 12, 2009 Wedding. I did not do a formal save the date, it was pretty much just email and word of mouth. On the invites I said "If you book your travel with our travel agent, this will serve as your RSVP" If you book your travel on your own, please RSVP to our website by February 1, 2009."

 

So, I don't know if that was clear enough, no one has booked their travel or contacted the TA....What should I do?

[Jacqueline]

I'm not having a DW so other girls might be more helpful- however- I think it's totally okay. This can kinda be a "heads up" thing for your guests, it will give them time to save $ and know what to expect for booking. As it gets closer send a formal save the date. I noticed a lot of girls on here had issues with their guest not booking right away either so thats normal too. With the Holidays coming up people might want to wait until after ya know.

[JaimeLynne]

Hmmm... we set up a website and asked everyone to please at least RSVP there. We've had a lot of people who have RSVPed, but we've made 2 categories: those who have "booked" (whether it's plane or hotel or both - just something!) and those who have not we placed in the "Preliminary RSVP" category. All of this is listed on our site so that everyone can see who's booked and see that the rest are being slow! HAHA jk

 

Honestly I do think that you may need to send something else out. Maybe come up with an excuse, and send something out in Jan or Feb saying something in it like "We kindly request that you RSVP by email (or whatever) by this date. Please understand that if you do not RSVP in a timely manner, we may not be able to accommodate you."

 

We included this wording (not exactly, but you get the point) in our mailout, and have had about 30-40 people RSVP one way or another.

 

I personally like the idea of listing the "Travelers" on a website so that everyone can see who's going. Makes it fun for all

 

Plus, you will need to know at least a general number of people who are attending, so that you can make concrete plans. And Jackie's right - a lot of people won't book right away. So it is important to set up a separate RSVP system IMHO.

 

HTHs!

[Ashleykmorgan]

Thank you! I was thinking of sending our Xmas/holiday card in January and have that double as the "get your butt in gear and book your trip card" that way it is after the holidays so people are less stressed, I do have a place on my website for "Who's all coming" so far it is just my parents and sister, but as people book their travel I will add them up there. Thanks for the advice, looks like I better get something designed to send out in January. Do you think Feb is too early for an RSVP/book travel date?

[DallasAshli]

Most of our guests haven't even looked at booking yet and our wedding is in March. Especially with the holidays + economy, people arent looking to book right now. I'm waiting until after New Years to see where everyone stands.

 

I think Feb is ok, but realize some people will book weeks before (rather than months). We also sent out an email (following the STD) asking for liklihood so we could get preliminary numbers.

[Ashleykmorgan]

Thanks Ashli, that does make sense. My mom even asked a while back if I wanted to cancel the DW due to the economy, I said nope, we will get through it. (hopefully)

[KatyKo]

I plan to creat a postcard from VistaPrint that says "Don't forget to book your travel and get your passport" and send it out in early January. Most of our guests have said (to us, in person) that they are going, but few have actually booked. I plan to give them a deadline for booking their trip on the postcard too. I think this will remind them to get their passport (which is obviously very important) and will put emphasis on booking soon. Good luck!

[Ashleykmorgan]

Thank you all very much! Looks like a January postcard it is!

[Sloan]

We didnt do an STD and sent our invites the beginning of August for our April wedding. I think earlier the better with DW's, especially in this shitty economy. Anything goes really. Reminder postcards are a good idea.