ask guests to rsvp on invitations
It's interesting:"Now, I think you'll agree, after seeing the amount of free booze available at this wedding, that it's a good job it's a Bank Holiday this weekend. And if you do ..."
One of the special tools used in formal, written invitations is the RSVP. Adopted from the French--respondez vous s'il vous plait--RSVP politely asks guests to reply to your invitation. However, in modern society where certain social graces are routinely overlooked, there are tricks to using RSVP effectively.
Instructions
1
Provide a deadline. Guests are more likely to feel the urgency of a response when the invitation provides a deadline. An RSVP date implies that this is a very organized affair and they may miss out if they don't respond in time.
2
Make it easy. Guests are more likely to RSVP if it doesn't take much time and energy. Include a response card with a postage-paid return envelope. The response card should have a place for the guest to write his name and then some boxes to check indicating dinner choice or other information you require.
3
Be clear. A simple statement like "RSVP to (555) 223-4756 by August 12" is sufficient. When asking for an RSVP, let the guests know who to respond to and contact that person. Also, roughly translated, RSVP means "please respond." The "please" is already in there, so you don't have to say it again.
4
Call to follow up. If an accurate count of guests is important for your event, be proactive in soliciting responses. A few days before the event, when the guests have received their invitations and had time to figure out if they can attend, call them. Say something positive like, "I hope I can expect to see you there."
5
Regrets only. When an accurate count of guests attending an event isn't that important, the invitation can say, "RSVP regrets only." This lets guests know they only need to call you if they can't make it.
Tags: accurate count, accurate count guests, count guests, guests know, Guests moreSource: www.ehow.com
