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Your guest count is necessary in the final wedding planning stages. It determines the amount of money you will spend on food and drinks. It establishes the number of reception tables and the number of centerpieces to order. It tells you how many programs to print and favors to buy. It’s necessary.

But what about all of those other people who don't understand the importance of getting that RSVP back on time, if at all?

Give your guests at least 4 weeks to respond, 6-8 weeks if you are inviting many out-of-town guests. And don’t forget to give yourself some wiggle room—if your final count is due to the caterers on June 15th, ask guests to get back to you by June 1st, giving you 2 weeks to contact the guests who "lost" their RSVP card.

It is inevitable some guests will not respond with their self-addressed + stamped envelope. You will need to contact them for their response via phone, email or in-person. The last thing you need is extra guests showing up to your reception who did not RSVP--there will most likely be no place for them to sit!