My bro-in-law got hitched in West Virginia last weekend and I was best man. [Insert West Va. joke here] Here’s my flame:
ALL OF THE BITCHES FAMILY RSVP’D AND NONE BUT THE PARENTS AND MAID OF HONOR SHOWED UP!
The groom’s side of the family all had at least a seven hour drive to get there (One flew in from Seattle) and everyone who said they would be there showed. The bride’s family lives in the city and they didn’t come. The groom footed the bill for the reception since he’s 33 and it’s the bride’s second (Hey, at least she wore flip-flops to this one, she was barefoot at her first) and he had to pay for everyone who didn’t show.
When did it become OK to say you’ll show up and not come? Is this strictly a West Va thing or is it everywhere? My bro-in-law is pissed at her family big time. Is that going to help his marriage get off right?
Maybe in Appalachia, they think R.S.V.P. stands for “Reception’s Serving Virginia 'Possum.” 'Possum would be just fine with them, but not one from that-there wussified snootysnoot state to the east. 
It has been my experience that at least 10-15% of people who RSVP in the affirmative will not show up. I certainly can’t fault someone for an emergency or illness, but I’ve had people TELL me “I get a better invitation, so I went there instead.”
Klass with a kapital “K”…
I work on a lot of by-invitation events, and we have the same thing. I think some people say “yes” just to cover their asses, and then decide they’d rather not go. Although with a wedding, you have to wonder if the non-attendees are trying to make some Big Point…
What’s equally frustrating for us is when they don’t bother to reply, and then show up anyway. Much like a wedding reception, we often have limited seating and food for x number of people. Without fail, we’ll get clusters of morons approaching the check-in table announcing, “I didn’t RSVP! Ha ha ha!” Thanks to a need for happy-happy P.R., I’m not authorized to tell them to piss off. Most I can do is ask them politely to wait to see if we have space. This often annoys them. Good.
On several occasions, a sudden influx of these clowns prevented a number of folks-- including some who had RSVP’d-- from finding seats or getting a decent shot at the buffet. Jerks.
Mr C - I am really sorry you had to deal with this. I had something similar happen to me last time I hosted the “large holiday family gathering meal” - I was set for the 8 that RSVP’d. We had food for 8, possibly 10. I have China and Crystal for 10. I have SEATING for 10. When we had 16 show up (not including children), well, I ended up sitting on the deck smoking a cigarette while SO dealt with HIS family. Mine’s all out of state!
Rosebud - a friend of mine received RSVP’s from most of the groom’s side of the family indicating they would come to her wedding. Most didn’t. It was a “family statement” she later found out. This was at least 10 years ago. The divorce was final soon after…