I am planning a shower for my BFF next week. As far as I know, this is her only shower. I had planned it with contact from her mom. Well she has a big family and the guest list is like 30 people. Counting me and her, only 10 people are coming. Now I do have 11 outstanding RSVP's that I am tracking down, but I am going to assume that only half of them are coming for food purposes . I feel bad that so many people can not come. I am also really annoyed that the RSVP date was Friday and I had to track down 25 people with still 11 outstanding. Why can't people RSVP! I gave a number and an email address!
Re: So Sad
regarding low attendance numbers, many people work weekends and can't make it, or they don't like showers and avoid whenever possible, or they are just crazy busy, which seems to be the case for most people especially during the summer months.
I think in our more technology savvy world evites get more RSVPs than the old fashioned method of calling. Emailing is still better than calling. Many people are freaked out by calling a stranger on the phone (if they don't know the hostess).
I wish everyone took RSVPs seriously, but people tend to toss invites aside and forget about them. I try to RSVP immediately so I don't forget. I like how evite sends out email reminders, helping round up RSVPs closer to the event date so you don't have to contact everyone.
Gretchen Evie, born 7/8/2012 at 35w5d
I attended my cousins shower this weekend. I appologized for not RSVPing. I asked how many actually did and she said NONE!
I would say about 25 people were there. Strange how some circles are really good about the RSVPs and others don't think it is that important.
The recommendations about emailing as a way to RSVP is a good idea. I will let my hostess in on the advice.
I think the rule of thumb is to count on about 50% attendance out of the invites sent out. That is about what it has been for most of the showers I've hosted. I think the number you have that are for sure coming is a good number. I had a shower for a friend who invited 15 and there were only 9 of us there. It turned out very nice.
As for RSVPing...that is definitely one of my pet peeves. I think most people that don't RSVP have NEVER hosted anything in their life where they needed to know how much food, seating, etc. to have. They just "don't get it".
I agree! While it would seem better to have more guests (to get more gifts is what I assume most women want more guests for), I would rather have a more intimate setting, and actually be able to talk with all of them and not feel bad if I didn't get to talk with half of them, kwim?
It is not about gifts, this is her FAMILY like people she sees on a monthly basis. Her sisters and cousins and such.There are a few friends but it is mostly her close family. That is what makes me feel bad. Only 4 people from her family is coming. Her sisters can't make it. I feel like it is my fault that I picked a bad date but I am having a baby in July and she is due the first week in September so late June was the best I could do.
I know that it will still be nice, I just really expected more of her family to come.
I only had 10 people at my Bridal Shower and it turned out wonderful. I don't think you need a lot of people there to have a great shower.
As for RSVPing, people are rude. It's just that simple.