RSVP, anyone?

RSVP means "respond please" in French. Is here something culturally that's going on that makes that phrase have no meaning?

Yes, I'm going to do a bit of ranting here. I am currently planning a wedding--my own, that is-- and collecting RSVPs is proving to be exceedingly difficult. I set up an online website for responses so I understand that older folks might consider this an obstacle. But I am far more frustrated by the large chunk of invitees who are my ever-connected, Web-savvy peers. I've heard it all: "I was so busy!" "I forgot!" and the most infuriating lack of excuse at all. Is this individualism at its strongest? "My excuse beats your request, no matter what."
:-(
It takes 2 minutes to RSVP. No one is that busy. Not that many people are forgetful. Planning a house party for 10 is hard enough... planning the difference in budget and space between 100 and 150 guests for a wedding reception is much harder!

Sigh. I am not one to say that this generation is overall worse than the last. But the lack of consideration is just astounding. Have RSVPs have gone the way of handwriting lessons, now considered obsolete? Funny thing is, last I heard, people are still planning weddings these days, so I can't see how guest counts aren't still useful... Or maybe our up-to-the-minute communication methods have made us believe that everything can be last minute? That makes more sense, but advance notice has its place!

Okay, okay, I'm complaining a lot. The bright side? I've learned a valuable lesson for myself for years to come: RSVP, Ellen. People appreciate it.

Woot. (That's sarcasm for "hooray.")
--Ellen 
 
P.S. Add this frustration to the long list of reasons why it's a good idea to only get married once. ;-)