You sent the invites. You added the RSVP link. You even picked a cute font!
And now? Nothing. Just you, refreshing your inbox and wondering if this whole “baby shower” thing was a terrible idea.
RSVP limbo is a rite of passage no one warns you about. The silence is awkward. The guessing is stressful. And if you’re the kind of person who just wants to know how much potato salad to make, it can feel kind of personal.
You’re not imagining it. You’re not alone. And yes — there’s something you can do about it.
What Real Expecting Parents Are Saying
We went digging for what expecting parents really think about RSVPs. And we found one thing: frustration. A lot of it.
“We only received 12 RSVPs … only 3 gifts … some didn’t even respond … difficult …”
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“My best friend … didn’t RSVP yet … that’s ridiculous”
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“Most won’t come at all and you will have to track them down.”
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“Half who RSVPd and half who didn’t even bother to respond”
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These aren’t just internet gripes. They’re clues — about what’s broken and what can be fixed. (and why we just remade our rsvp tool)
Why Guests Don’t RSVP (Even If They Love You)
We’d love to believe everyone’s just wildly excited to celebrate you and baby. But the reality? RSVPing is low on most people’s list — and complicated animated digital invites make it worse. (yes looking at you Paperless Post)
Here’s what might be going wrong:
- Invites lost in email clutter: Promotion tabs, spam folders, or just a too-long inbox scroll.
- Digital fatigue: Not everyone loves online forms — especially your Aunt Marge with the flip phone.
- Low urgency: Guests assume they can just show up. No big deal, right?
- Emotional avoidance: Saying “no” feels awkward, so they say nothing instead.
It’s not personal. But it’s still a pain.
How to Actually Get RSVPs
You can’t change your guests. But you can outsmart the silence.
1. Pick the Right RSVP Tool
Use something dead simple. No logins. No apps. Mobile-friendly. Email or text. Bonus if it connects directly to your registry and can account for the +1’s (husbands, kids, etc). Our newly redesigned RSVP tool built into WebBabyShower does just that. (We read a hundred reddit posts for a reason!)
2. Send Personal Nudges
Yes, manually. Yes, it works.
“I usually … send individual texts … confirming they received the invitation … hope you can celebrate”
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It’s less “Hey, did you RSVP yet?” and more “I wanted to make sure you saw the invite. We’d love to celebrate with you.”
3. Include a Real Deadline
Not “sometime next month.” Be specific. Bold it. Frame it as helpful: “This helps us plan food + seating!”
4. Make the RSVP Feel Like a Gift
People want to help. Remind them this is one way they can — with zero cost, in under 10 seconds.
5. Send One Reminder (Not Five)
Give them a nudge a few days before the deadline. Keep it casual, not guilt-trippy.
And If They Still Don’t RSVP?
Take a breath. You’re not doing anything wrong.
If its a big group then plan for 60–75% of your list. Assume a few surprises. Have a buffer for food or favors. And let go of the idea that everyone has to RSVP “properly” for this to be a success.
Also: You are not your guest list. Your celebration is what matters!
One Less Thing to Stress About
At WebBabyShower, we’ve built RSVP tools that don’t suck. Your guests don’t need to download anything. You can track responses in real time. And yes — you can even nudge the forgetful ones without feeling weird.
You focus on feeling good. We’ll handle the “who’s coming” part.
???? Pick a theme & start your free invite now
Final Word
Your baby shower should feel joyful, not like a part-time admin job.
Getting RSVPs shouldn’t take five follow-ups, emotional labor, and a spreadsheet. You deserve to be celebrated — fully, messily, and without second-guessing your invite link.
