How to follow up on RSVPs without being awkward (and get 90%+ replies)
Most guests do not ignore invitations on purpose — they open them, mean to reply, and forget. A calm, well-timed reminder solves most of it. The trick is knowing exactly who to remind, so you never pester people who have already answered.
Key takeaways
- Remind only people who have not replied — Guestwise filters them for you.
- “Opened but not replied” guests need a nudge; “never opened” guests may need a different channel.
- A schedule of 14, 7, 3 and 1 day before your reply date works well for most events.
Read the signals first
| Status | What it usually means | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Opened, no reply | Interested but undecided or busy | Friendly WhatsApp nudge |
| Sent, never opened | Message missed or wrong number | Check the number; ask a family member; try another channel |
| Not sent | Not invited yet | Send the invitation |
| Changed reply | Plans changed | Review the new numbers; adjust seating or catering |
A reminder schedule that works
- Invitation: 4–8 weeks before the event (earlier for out-of-town guests).
- Reply date: 2–3 weeks before the event, set in the RSVP form.
- Reminders: 14, 7, 3 and 1 day before the reply date — automatic by email on Event Plus.
- Personal calls: for VIPs and close family who still have not replied 2 days before the reply date.
Nudging on WhatsApp in one tap
The Follow up page lists only pending guests, with people who opened but did not reply at the top. Each has a WhatsApp nudge button with a short, polite reminder already written in their language. Filter by group (for example only “Office”) to remind one circle at a time.
Questions
Will guests who already replied get reminders?
No. Reminders only go to invitations without a reply.
Can I record a reply someone gave me by phone?
Yes. Open the guest and use “Record a reply received by phone or in person”.
Put this into practice
Create your invitation, add your families with seat limits and send personal links on WhatsApp — free for up to 30 invitations.