How long should I give people to RSVP for a wedding?

Short answer

Give guests about four to six weeks from when you send invitations to RSVP, with the deadline at least two weeks before your final numbers are due to your venue or caterer. This gives everyone time to plan without leaving you chasing responses at the last minute.

Start by working backwards from your wedding date. Ask your venue or caterer when they need final numbers, then set your RSVP deadline at least two weeks before that date. Most couples send invitations eight to ten weeks ahead, which gives guests four to six weeks to reply. This window is long enough for people to check diaries, arrange travel and childcare, but short enough that they won't forget.

If you have guests travelling from abroad or far away, you might send save-the-dates earlier and give them a slightly longer RSVP window. For a smaller wedding or a shorter planning timeline, three weeks can work, but be prepared to chase a few people. Always include a clear deadline on the invitation and make it easy to respond, whether by post, email or a wedding website.

Remember that some guests will be late no matter what. Plan to send gentle reminders about a week before the deadline, and follow up personally with anyone who hasn't replied a few days after. Be kind and assume they meant to respond but simply forgot. Your venue will appreciate accurate numbers, and you will avoid paying for empty seats.