Only those of us whom have labored over seating charts and table assignments can truly appreciate the importance of an RSVP.  Nothing throws a wrench in the works like a good ‘ol Uncle George who decided to just show up at your meticulously planned shindig, but whom cannot sit at the only available seat next to Aunt Lucy because heaven forbid those two spend more than two minutes in each others company!  So here’s a rundown for you chronic non-RSVP-ers.

Courtesty of Delovely Designs

• R.S.V.P. stands for a French phrase, “répondez, s’il vous plaît,” which means “please reply.”  And for heaven’s sake please do!  It is simply the most polite way you can give respect to whomever has kindly extended the lovely invitation to you.
• If you cannot attend, reply.  If you are able to attend, reply.  (And do so in a timely manner!  Like within one to two weeks from when you RECEIVE the invite.)
• If you don’t know if you are able to attend, then pick up the phone and call the lovely host who has invited you.  Ask when is the latest they need a response from you.  This way, at least you have let them know WHY you have not responded and are not one of the many people that figure RSVP does not apply to them.
• For all you folks IN a wedding party…you’re in the wedding party so of course you will be there!  Right?  But perhaps the bride is not the one managing the RSVPs, and it would be a shame to be left off the list because you couldn’t drop that one little card in the mail.

With the internet removing much of the formality from invitations and RSVPs it is getting even easier to just click a “Reply Here” link.  So don’t be one of those folks that just assumes “oh, they know i’m going!”   Drop that reply card in the mail, call, e-mail….do something that demonstrates to the host you have complete respect for their efforts and truly appreciate the invitation and consideration.