It is common courtesy to RSVP, whether you will be attending a wedding or not. There is a purpose to it, as it helps the couple make their wedding plans accordingly. However, a last-minute cancellation not only results in money being wasted and seating arrangements threw off but is plain inconsiderate.
As a guest, if you are not sure that you will attend the wedding, it is polite to inform the couple of this. Mention that you will confirm at a later date, and make sure you do. It isn’t right to expect them to accommodate you at the last minute when they have already planned the final details of the wedding. On the same note, it isn’t right to tell them that you will be attending and then just throwing their plans off.
Unfortunately, not all guests are great at sticking to what they say in their RSVPs. So, how do you—the couple—handle this situation? Here is some help.
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Don’t Go Berserk Over The Cancellations
It doesn’t take too much for the already stressed-out bride to have a meltdown, and absent guests are a trigger. It is good that you are mentally prepared for this possibility, so you do not get too upset if it were to occur. Remember that emergencies do happen, and more importantly, the wedding will go on even if the people who cancel aren’t there. So, take the high road, and don’t spoil your mood.
Don’t Worry About Rearranging Your Seating Arrangement
It is unfortunate if a guest cancels at the last minute, especially when you’ve painstakingly spent hours of research to perfect your seating arrangement and got it just right. Our advice is to leave things as you’d initially intended, and don’t worry about changing your original plan. If possible, make a few discrete rearrangements here and there not to affect the entire picture. Or else, leave it as it is.
Is The Reason Valid?
Some reasons like an unexpected illness or a death in the family are valid reasons to cancel, even at the last minute. Nevertheless, it is only appropriate that you are informed. Most guests have the sense to send you a personal note or even a bouquet to show their regret at not attending your wedding. If the excuse is simply horrible, fake or if they entirely skip informing you about it, you can always send a thank you note for their gift (that is, if they have sent you an advantage) saying you were worried about why they weren’t there when they promised to. Or tell them you were disappointed with what they did at a later time.
As optimistic as you may be, some things will go wrong at a wedding. After all, that is how life is. Just be glad of what went well, and don’t stress out over what could have been. Ultimately, your happiness matters, and don’t let anyone put a damper on it.
For more wedding tips and advice, continue visiting us on our blog page at Best for Bride.
FAQ – Wedding Guests Cancelling
How many guests normally refuse to attend a wedding?
The average number of people that say “no” to a wedding is between 15 and 20%. This year, experts advise that couples be prepared to welcome all of the guests they have invited.
Is it impolite to not attend a wedding after receiving an RSVP?
Yes, a gift should still be sent. But don’t feel bad about it; as long as you handle the matter with care, the pair should be fine. With all of the relatives and well-wishers there, most couples can agree that their wedding day was a blur.
Is it impolite to turn down a wedding invitation?
It is not impolite to refuse a wedding invitation if you do it in advance. Things happen, and events collide. It wasn’t meant to be if you had to be someplace else on the day. If you do have to refuse the invitation, provide a handwritten message explaining the circumstances with your RSVP.
What happens if a wedding guest cancels at the last minute?
It’s critical to notify your catering crew and wedding coordinator or planner as soon as possible, regardless of how last-minute the cancellation is. They’ll want to make sure these visitors’ chairs and place settings are removed, as well as that they have a complete guest count.
What is a valid reason to skip a wedding?
There are several reasons why you may be able to skip a wedding to which you have been invited. Financial concerns or a shortage of vacation days are two of the finest examples. It’s also fine to decline if you’re no longer close to them.
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I can understand a few cancellations, it is bound to happen. If your invite a lot of people, it will happen even more. Unless an entire table of people cancel, I would not see any reason to redo the seating chart.
Yeah, you have to plan for a few of the cancellations, that is just the way things are with planning a major event like this.
Getting back to the couple is a must. There is a lot of planning on their part and it is a good thing to know ahead of time.
In my opinion, if they skip the wedding day, what is the difference what the reason is.
Exactly. This is not something that should throw off the entire day, right?
I wouldn’t think this would be that big of a deal, right? Unless its half the guests, its expected to have a couple of them.
I don’t think this is major problem. I can make things work on a last minute notice. Good tips!
Unless it is a family member that has a part in the wedding, I am not going to fret about it.
That is what I was thinking. Most guests are not in the wedding party itself so there should be nothing to worry about.
It’s every bride’s nightmare. You’ve sent out the invitations, blocked off the hotel rooms, and planned every detail to perfection. But then, a week before the big day, you get a call from a guest saying they can’t make it. Now you’re left with an empty seat at the reception and one less gift for the happy couple. While it’s certainly not ideal, there are a few things you can do when wedding guests cancel at the last minute. Thank you for sharing them!
Weddings are a time for couples to celebrate their love with family and friends, but sometimes wedding guests cancel at the last minute. While it’s disappointing when this happens, there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact. First, contact the guests who have canceled and see if they can give you a specific reason why they won’t be able to attend. This will help you determine if there’s anything you can do to accommodate them.