Are RSVP cards a must?

I am making our wedding invitations and am trying to figure out if the RSVP cards are an absolute. I am considering using our wedding web page as our RSVP and include our phone number as a back up. The wedding guest list isn't huge (about 80 invitations). This isn't a cost issue necessarily, the invitation and the RSVP card together is very bulky (I'm using dried flowers on the front, and the invitation is tied with a ribbon)



thoughts?

Are RSVP cards a must?
Have you considered RSVP post cards? They are thinner and smaller, also cost less for postage. The wedding webpage RSVP is a good idea, but there are people who aren't computer saavy and not giving them the mail option will exclude them.
Reply:Same situation here. I have about 80 people, most of them I know wouldn't mind a non-paper RSVP. I'm going to include the website and a phone number on the invitations and have guests either call or get on the website and e-mail RSVP through the webpage. All my guests have some access to a computer, and I don't mind getting called if they want to (it's not like I'll get 50 calls in one day...that's like the worst situation possible and I don't mind)



I agree, RSVP cards are pretty bulky and just are an added cost that is really unnecessary if you have the right kind of people.



I did see this done on a much bigger wedding, the last one I went to had like 300 people and the invitation said to call or rsvp through website.
Reply:Yes, they are. Then don't make it about cost.
Reply:Usually they are used to do your seating charts. If you feel you don't need them though then they are indeed extra.
Reply:Far from a requirement, RSVP cards are a fairly recent invention of The Wedding Industry. Basically, they are expensive to print, even more expensive to put stamps on, they solve no problems and they create several. Phooey on them. In "the olden days" when we did our RSVPs by phone (with help from family, friends, and attendants of course) we didn't have to worry cramming every bit of information into the invitation because we expected to be talking with these folks in a week or so anyhow. During the phone call we could give driving directions, hints on how dressed up to get, tell people what to expect in the way of food, really exert control of our guest list, and -- best of all -- people would ask us what sort of gift we'd like. So we could ask for cash.



So I'm happy to see you doing the right thing and rejecting the greedy Wedding Industry's attempts to get you to do things the wrong way just so they can sell you stuff -- but wish you were doing it for different reasons. :D
Reply:It's the 21st century and you have that fab medium known as the internet at your disposal so I say use it! For those who don't have access to or don't know how to use the internet include a phone number. I had a phone number only for my guests to RSVP.. I gave my mothers number as a way to include her and she just loved being given such a special, important wedding-related job.
Reply:Honestly yes they are, because many people won't have access to a PC (like older guests) so you may not get an accurate number, I would strongly advise you sending out RSVP's, you'll end up having to chase people anyway as you will never get them all back, I don't know why but some people just don't bother to RSVP, they just assume you know they are coming. You'll save yourself a lot of grief in the long run if you send them out.
Reply:The RSVP card is for you to have the best estimate of who all is coming that way you know how many people you need to feed or accomidate. But if its a small wedding or you want to plan on everyone coming leave them out. Its all for you in the first place. So do what you think is best.
Reply:RSVP's are a must you need to know how many people will show up?

You need to get an idea on how much food you'll need.
Reply:Go ahead and leave them out. I like the webpage idea. Just make sure that everyone your inviting is computer savy. I'm sending invatations as well and I know I have older relatives that can't use a computer, consider sending only non-computer savy people the cards. Congrats!
Reply:I would stick with the card- people are very accustomed to it, and it will be much easier for you to keep track of than phone calls. It depends on your guest list, but unless most of the people you are inviting are 40 or younger, you're not going to get a lot of internet responses.
Reply:Hi. I would just stick with the RSVP card. There was a girl on here the other night asking a question if she should call people that have not RSVPd. She did not use a RSVP card, relying only on postings to their website or by phone and many had not come in either way.



I know most everyone does use the computer, but sometimes it's hard to remember to RSVP....you get busy doing other things on the computer. With the RSVP card, it's sitting on your counter/desk so then you DO remember to mail it!



That my opinion....I would go with the traditional RSVP card and just have extra postage due to your invite being bulky.
Reply:A lot of people will not RSVP even if they get a card. If I were you I would go ahead and use your web page, but also think about who your inviting. If it's only 80 people you should have a good idea rather you think they would come or not. LIke you probably know your family will be there, but I'm sure you sent invitations to people your skeptical about coming. Hope this helps and congrates.
Reply:I would definately go with the card. If you use multiple ways of RSVP-ing, that can get messy. Especially if someone else takes the message while you're not home and forgets to tell you.

Also, it helps from an organizational standpoint by giving you a hard copy of everyone who's planning to attend. If you're giving menu options, this also helps the caterer with numbers. Hope that helps!
Reply:Our RSVP was a phone number and my email address. I also had a Facebook group for our friends.
Reply:No they're not a must. Not even 1/3 of the people we invited sent them back. They really were a waste of postage.