The date is set, the menu is planned, the guests have all been invited - so is it necessary to send out reminders? Personally, we like a reminder - mostly because our own lives are so hectic that we can almost always use a little check-in! What do you think: are reminders helpful...or annoying?!
We also think reminders are great for, well, reminding! We can make sure everyone knows what time to arrive, what to bring (or not), your address, and all the important details. If you forgot something on your invite, like your phone number or to ask about food allergies, this gives you an opportunity to do so.
Reminders definitely don't have to be fancy. Just a quick and friendly e-mail to the guest list works just fine for us. Many invitation websites like Evite will often do this for you automatically.
How do you handle reminders?
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evite? people still use that?
reminders? oh how terrible. you invite people to dine or drink or both at your home and then you have to remind/beg them to come? No. If someone RSVP's yes, that says to me they have put it in their datebook. It is not my responsibility to remind everyone on top of buying the groceries, cutting and arranging the flowers, mixing the punch, and making the food.
I used to never send reminders, but since sometimes these invitations include my family who would all FORGET THEIR HEADS if they weren't attached.. I've come to realise that either I remind people.. or I have dinner by myself because none of my relatives have a functional memory. (okay, that might be a slight exaggeration..)
I usually just text everyone the morning of, "We still on for tonight?" It has definitely saved my ass a couple times.
Yeah I'm with the 'mass text' commenter above.
Personally I don't mind being reminded, but I always feel like a nag when I send out a reminder myself. A mass text also means you don't have to send ALL the info to EVERYONE. But there is always at least one person who forgets your address, or doesn't remember the time.
I tend to just send out an "I am looking forward to seeing you at 7" or something that functions as a reminder without seeming like a nagging mother.
I just discovered Evite last year. What's wrong with it?
My friends and I use evite as well. It's easy. Since we do so many potluck dinner parties, we are all good about checking in on each other the week before.
As far as hosted dinner parties, I usually send one email or evite reminder the week of. No one's forgotten yet!
personally, evite is not for me. one, i like direct communication with my guests. two, i dont need other guests to see who is (not) coming. and, i do send out reminders. i know my friends are all busy people, and i would hate to spend effort cooking for 10, when only 6 can make it! a reminder is good for both parties. just sayin. :)