It is quite normal to respondez s’il vous plait to invites but there still seems to be resistance to this very polite etiquette by elder members of our South Asian community. Especially to wedding invites.
I recall in my youth attending weddings that I hadn’t been invited to because I was spending the weekend with an aunt or so. Not something I would even consider doing today…. But this was normal. Weddings were a festival that anyone remotely related could attend. Huge buffets were laid on. What was a handful of extra guests going to matter?
The days of huge weddings, where generation removed are invited to celebrate the union of a couple they have only met once if at all in their lives, are becoming numbered. Small intimate affairs, with place card settings and waited tables are being favoured.
The elders are up in arms! RSVP’s are ignored and people like my Mum are catering for 10% extra attendance just to ensure there is enough food to go around.
My advice. Time are moving. Get on with it. RSVP.
Bunty.