I would suggest you RSVP as soon as you receive the invitation - if you are sure if you are attending or not. This way you won't forget to return the RSVP card. Otherwise, note the date that this card is due back (it is written inside the card when they need to have your answer) and mark it in your blackberry or on a calendar so you don't forget to send it back.
that depends on the party organizer. some people have it be 3-4 days before the actual party.
example: party on October 27th RSVP by October 23rd.
if a wedding: Party on January 27th RSVP by November 17th
It it's going to be a summer wedding then six to eight weeks should be given so people can rearrange their holidays around your wedding. If it's during winter months then six weeks should be enough. You may have to follow up on some invitations (either your parents or Maid of Honor can do this) on the guests that haven't replied because you will be paying 'by the plate' at the reception hall for dinner.
You should return your RSVP as soon as possible so that the people will know who's coming and who's not.
* If you are getting married in the spring to summer months then you should get the wedding invitations out two to three months in advance to give your guests time to plan their vacations around your wedding.
An RSVP card is part of the formal invitation to the wedding, and is sent out within 6 months of the wedding A Save-The-Date card is typically used for long engagements where the bride and groom have set a far out date. The card is sent, with no RSVP attached, to let guests know when the date is. This can be sent out 6 months +. Typically they are magnenets so couples can put them on the fridge to remind them in months to come.
It is only etiquette that when you have been given the honor of attending a wedding and for some reason you can't make it then you should send the RSVP back as soon as possible and that you are sorry you are unable to attend. Two weeks before the wedding (if you live out of town) then send the wedding gift to the bride's parent's home and addressed to the bride and groom as Mr. & Mrs. John Doe (example.)
Sending out save the date cards (or you could send it as an email to save money) means that your guests can make sure that their diaries are free to attend the wedding. This is particularly important for guests with children, or guests who have to travel to the wedding, particularly from overseas. The more notice you can give guests the better the chance of them being able to attend. Normally you would send save the date cards out 6 months before the wedding date, actual invitation 3 months before and your RSVP by date for one month before the wedding (or earlier if your venue requires final numbers more than a month before).
Since the wedding is December 28th, 2010 the wedding invitations should be going out right away because Christmas is a very busy time and this gives guests a chance to arrange their schedules so they can attend the wedding.
There is no set rule on what the rsvp date for an invitation should be. The potential guests need at least a week or two to figure out if they will be able to attend. You need to set a date that allows you to properly prepare for the event based on how many guests are coming. Depending on the event the rsvp date could vary from a couple days before to a couple weeks or even a month before.
When planning a wedding, invitations are a two step process. Save-the-date cards should be mailed out four months in advance to let guests know about your engagement. The invitations should be sent out two months later leaving guests about 6-8 weeks to RSVP. When preparing for your wedding, the general rule is that save the date cards should be mailed out four months in advance. Wedding invitations should be sent out no earlier than two months before the wedding.
If you are single it is assumed that you may bring a guest, unless the invitiation explicitly states otherwise.
Usually with a wedding invitation the bride and groom will also send out an attached RSVP card and envelope where you elect 'attending' or 'regrets'. Your answer is usually required at least 4 weeks prior to the wedding date. Some couples may attach a contact number or email as a way to get in touch but we recommend a phone call or RSVP card sent in the mail as a formal way to confirm your attendance.
date, get engaged, plan the wedding
R.J. Cantu
Absolutely. You can't plan properly without knowing how many are coming. Be sure to add RSVP and specify if they may bring a " guest"[ date , not a starving artist friend ] .