Wedding RSVP Response Date Deadline

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

My husband and I were invited to his nephew's wedding. The response card said we should respond by May 10th. I mailed the response (postmarked) on May 10th. The next day, on May 11th, my sister-in-law called to say she was very upset because we did not respond on time. Did I respond on time or should the response have been received by May 10th?

Signed,

Late RSVP

Dear Late RSVP,

Responses should be received by May 10th. However, since this was your sister-in-law, wouldn't she already know whether or not you and your husband were going to attend? In any case, wedding parties often wait a day or two after the response date for stragglers or late mail due to unforeseen circumstances.

In general, wedding RSVP response cards should be returned as soon as possible and well before the due date if one knows whether or not they will be able to attend.