RSVP comes from the French phrase “repondez, s’il vous plait” which means “please reply.” If you can wrap your head around the idea early on that guests will not “respondez” it will save you one or two migraines at least. And if you’ve never had a migraine, checking your email morning, noon, and before and after Project Runway, and stalking your letter carrier for RSVPs will be your ticket to this eye-popping, mind-numbing, don’t-they-know-I’m-paying-fifty-dollars-a-plate experience. Even the promise of Grilled Veal Chops with Potatoes Dauphinoise and all the Tequila Shots this side of Cuernavaca, there is no guarantee that your Uncle Steve will comb his hair and put on a clean tie. It is what it is and if 80% or more of your guests are considerate enough to respond with a “oui” or a “non”, consider yourself well blessed.
