Gathering RSVP's is one of the most important concepts to understand when planning a wedding. Your total guest count will determine everything in terms of cost per person for your wedding. We will not delve into who to and who NOT to invite to your wedding in this course, however you must understand that every invited guest has a cost associated with their invitation. Once you decide how many guests you will invite, every decision you make regarding your wedding is now linked to that number. Let's use 100 guests as an example in this lesson. You have decided to invite 100 guests, and your caterer has informed you that your selected meal package is $40 per person, that is a total of $4000.00 for your food only, this does not include beverage.

Each of your guest should have RSVP's in place, there are several methods to gather RSVP's. either electronically, via your wedding website or via the old fashioned way which is a paper invitation mailed to their home. I prefer the latter, and I will explain more why during a one on one session. This can be a very daunting task for several reasons.

The number one issue that I have seen with weddings post Covid, is guests sending in an RSVP stating they will attend your wedding or event, and not actually showing up. Imagine your disappointment when you have given the caterer $4000.00 for 100 guests and only 50 guests show up and actually attend your wedding. We now have extra food and extra seating in your venue and unfortunately you will not receive a refund!

If you need help with your RSVP process let me know.

Take the quiz below to understand more about why it is important to carefully choose your invited guests and gather an RSVP for each guest.

When planning a wedding, ensuring that your guests have a comfortable stay is essential. This lesson will guide you through the process of confirming guest accommodations, from managing room blocks to coordinating transportation.

One key aspect of confirming guest accommodations is setting up room blocks at local hotels. Room blocks are a group of hotel rooms set aside for your guests at a discounted rate. It's important to negotiate rates and room availability with hotels well in advance to secure enough rooms for your guests. Additionally, communicating the reservation process and deadline to your guests is crucial to ensure they reserve their rooms in a timely manner.

Another important consideration is coordinating transportation for your guests between the wedding venue and their accommodations. Providing shuttle services or arranging carpool options can simplify the logistics for guests and ensure everyone arrives at the venue on time. By proactively confirming guest accommodations and transportation, you can create a seamless and enjoyable experience for your wedding guests.

Key Lesson Concepts:

• Set up room blocks at local hotels for discounted rates
• Negotiate rates and availability in advance
• Communicate reservation process and deadline to guests
• Coordinate transportation between venue and accommodations
• Provide shuttle services or carpool options for guests
• Ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for wedding guests

Lesson Summary

Gathering RSVP's is crucial when planning a wedding as the total guest count determines the cost per person and impacts various decisions related to the event.

• Invitations have a cost associated with every guest invited.
• For example, inviting 100 guests at $40 per person for the meal package would total $4000, excluding beverages.
• Methods to gather RSVP's include electronic means or traditional paper invitations sent via mail.
• A common issue post-COVID is guests RSVPing but not showing up, leading to complications and potential losses in cost.

Confirming guest accommodations is another essential aspect of wedding planning to ensure guests have a comfortable stay.

• Setting up room blocks at local hotels allows for discounted rates and ensures availability.
• Negotiating rates and communicating the reservation process early to guests is vital.
• Coordinating transportation between the venue and accommodations can simplify logistics and ensure timely arrivals.
• Providing shuttle services or carpool options adds convenience for guests.
• By proactively managing guest accommodations and transportation, weddings can offer a seamless and enjoyable experience for all attendees.