RSVP is french. It means something like "respond soon, if you please" (i think)
When you have a wedding/reception that is not open to the public, you send out invitations and on those invitations you ask people to call and confirm that they will be in attendance, or RSVP.
This is helpful, say, if you have a caterer and you need to know how many people (approx.) that you will be feeding, or if the building has an occupancy limit and you need to keep your attendees within that limit.
The RSVP list is something that you have to verify that persons attending your wedding/reception were actually invited, especially if it's a private ceremony.
Have you thought of colors yet? Its important to book a reception hall early. If you're getting married in a chapel, church, etc., let them know early so that they don't plan any church functions on your day. You will probably also have to meet with the "overseer" of that church. Sometimes, they want to bless the marriage.
