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Set an RSVP deadline or automatically close new replies in InviteBird

Set your InviteBird RSVP-by date and choose whether to automatically close new responses after it. Learn the cutoff timing and how existing guests can edit their replies.

Last reviewed 4 min read

On this page7 sections
  1. Set an RSVP-by date
  2. What your guests will see
  3. What the RSVP-by date does behind the scenes
  4. Automatically close new RSVPs after the date
  5. Other ways to stop or limit replies
  6. Common questions
  7. Related articles

Set an RSVP-by date in your InviteBird event details to tell guests when you'd like to hear back. The date alone is a displayed request. If you also choose Automatically stop taking RSVPs after this date, InviteBird closes new responses after the reply-by day; the deadline setting does not block edits to an existing saved reply.

Set an RSVP-by date

In the invitation editor, set Ask guests to reply by alongside the event date, time and venue. The reply-by date must be on or before the event date. It's optional — leave it blank and no deadline shows.

Once you've set a date, Automatically stop taking RSVPs after this date appears below it. Leave this checkbox off if you want the date to be a planning target, or tick it to stop new responses after the deadline.

Still deciding which date to use? How to choose an RSVP deadline explains how to work backward from a venue or catering commitment and leave time to follow up, with a birthday-party example.

What your guests will see

When you set a date, guests see a clear RSVP by · [date] line among the event details on the invitation. With automatic closing off, guests can still send a reply after that date while responses remain open. With it on, a guest who hasn't replied sees an RSVPs closed on [date] message after the cutoff instead of sending a new response. They can still view the invitation.

What the RSVP-by date does behind the scenes

The date helps you plan your reminders. Reminders are timed in days before your event — 7, 3, 1, or a custom number — so if you want a last polite reminder to land before your reply-by date rather than after it, choose a day count that clears the deadline. Each one reaches only the guests who still haven't replied. See Sending a reminder for how reminders work.

Automatically close new RSVPs after the date

Automatic closing is optional and off by default. When it's on, new replies are accepted through the reply-by day and close at midnight at the start of the following day. The cutoff currently uses InviteBird's server time zone, rather than your event's time zone.

Guests who already replied can still access and edit their saved response after this deadline. Automatic deadline closing only applies to new responses; a paused, canceled or wrapped event can still prevent changes. See Changing an RSVP.

Other ways to stop or limit replies

  • Cap attendance with Maximum capacity. Set a number to limit attending guests. Once you're full, an additional attending guest sees a This event is full screen and can register interest instead. Use this when the real limit is your venue or budget. See Maximum capacity and the waitlist.
  • Pause RSVPs. Pausing stops both new replies and changes to existing responses until you reopen them. This is separate from automatic deadline closing.
  • Let the event wrap up. Once the event concludes, responses become read-only for guests. Canceling the event also closes responses. Saved answers remain on the record.

Common questions

Does setting an RSVP-by date close replies on that day? The date alone does not. If you tick Automatically stop taking RSVPs after this date, new responses close at the start of the next day, using InviteBird's server time zone. Existing saved replies can still be edited unless another event restriction prevents it.

Can someone who already replied change their answer after the deadline? Yes. Automatic deadline closing only blocks new responses. A guest can open their saved reply and edit it, provided RSVPs aren't paused and the event hasn't been canceled or wrapped up. See Changing an RSVP.

How do I stop getting RSVPs at a certain number? Turn on Maximum capacity and set the number. Further attending replies are limited when you reach it, and extra guests can register interest.

Can I hide or change the RSVP-by date later? Yes. Edit it in your event details, or clear it to remove the line from the invitation. You can also leave automatic closing off to accept new replies after the date while the event remains open.

When do replies finally close? New responses can close after your reply-by day if automatic closing is on. A capacity limit can stop further attending replies. Pausing RSVPs blocks new replies and edits; canceling or wrapping up the event makes responses read-only.

Should I still send reminders if I set a deadline? Yes — reminders are the best way to land those last few replies. Set each one for the number of days before your event that lands it ahead of your RSVP-by date. See Sending a reminder.

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