Rsvp Dates: A Timely Wedding Invitation Guide

When it comes to wedding invitations, one of the most important considerations is the RSVP deadline. This is the date by which guests need to respond, allowing the couple to finalise numbers for catering and other arrangements. The RSVP deadline is usually set around four weeks before the wedding date, giving the couple and vendors enough time to prepare. It's important to include this date prominently on the invitation or RSVP card, using wording such as Kindly reply by [date] or Please respond by [date]. This clear deadline helps prevent any last-minute surprises and ensures a smooth planning process.

RSVP deadline date

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many things to consider, from the design to the timing. One important aspect is setting an RSVP deadline date, which is crucial for accurate planning. Here are some instructive and focused paragraphs on determining the RSVP deadline date for your wedding invitations:

Recommended RSVP Deadline

It is recommended to set an RSVP deadline that is around two to four weeks before the wedding date. This timeframe allows both the couple and their vendors to finalise the details, such as the amount of food and drinks needed and the seating arrangements. The caterer and venue typically require a final headcount one to two weeks before the wedding, so setting the RSVP deadline two weeks prior gives you a buffer to chase any late responses.

Choosing an RSVP-By Date

Let's say your wedding is on June 20th. If your venue needs the final headcount by June 6th, you should set your RSVP deadline for May 23rd. This gives you a two-week window to gather late responses and provide the venue with an accurate number of attendees.

Sending Out Invitations

The timing of sending out invitations depends on your RSVP-by date. Ideally, your invitations should arrive in your guests' mailboxes about three weeks before the RSVP deadline. This gives them enough time to plan and make travel arrangements if necessary. So, for a June 20th wedding with an RSVP date of May 23rd, mail out your invitations by April 25th.

Reminding Guests to RSVP

It is common for some guests to miss the RSVP deadline. To avoid this, you can send reminders a week or so before the deadline. This can be done in person, over the phone, or online. A gentle reminder will help ensure you receive responses from all your guests and finalise your plans more efficiently.

Wording the RSVP Card

When wording the RSVP card, maintain consistency with the tone and formality of the invitation. For a formal invitation, the RSVP card might say, "the favour of a reply," while for a less formal invitation, "Kindly reply by" or "Kindly respond by" is more appropriate. The RSVP card should also include a line for guests to write their names and checkboxes for accepting or declining the invitation.

In summary, setting an appropriate RSVP deadline date is crucial for effective wedding planning. By allowing yourself a buffer between the deadline and the final headcount requirements, you can chase any late responses and finalise the details with your vendors. Sending out reminders to guests and clearly wording the RSVP card will also help ensure a timely and accurate response rate.

Space for guests' names

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to be clear about who is invited and who isn't. This is where the space for guests' names comes in. Here are some tips and guidelines for including space for guests' names in your wedding invitations:

Guest Name Format

The traditional way to indicate that guests should include their names is to write "M" at the start of the line, prompting guests to include their honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name. This is especially important if you want to address seating charts or place cards with the correct titles and spellings of names. However, this can be perceived as too formal for some weddings. In such cases, you can simply write "Name(s)" followed by a line to be filled out.

Plus-ones and Children

If you are inviting plus-ones, it is best to find out their names beforehand. However, if that is not possible, it is acceptable to add "and guest" after the guest's name, for example, "Joanne and guest".

When inviting families with children, it is important to be clear about whether the children are invited. If you are inviting children, include their names on the inner envelope. If you are not inviting children, only list the parents' names. If you list the parents' names on the outer envelope and leave the children's names off the inner envelope, it may imply that children are not invited, but it is still best to be explicit to avoid any confusion.

Return Address

Don't forget to include a return address on the RSVP envelope. This is usually placed in the upper left corner of the envelope, but it can also go on the back flap if you want to save space on the front. Pre-printed envelopes or address labels can be a time-saving option if handwriting each address seems daunting.

Online RSVPs

If you are collecting RSVPs online through a wedding website, you can include this information on a separate card within the invitation envelope. This card can prompt guests to respond by a certain date and direct them to the wedding website for more details.

Deadlines

Be sure to include a clear deadline for RSVPs, usually about one month before the wedding. This will give you and your vendors enough time to finalise the details, such as the amount of food and drinks needed and the seating chart.

In conclusion, providing space for guests' names on your wedding invitations is crucial for managing your guest list and ensuring that everyone invited feels welcomed and valued.

Accept or decline

The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to find out who will be attending your wedding. Therefore, you need to include an attendance line for guests to either accept or decline your invitation. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines.

It is important to set a deadline for guests to send their RSVPs, so you can finalise your numbers and follow up with any guests who have not responded. The deadline should be featured prominently on the card, with wording such as "Kindly reply by [insert date]" or "Please respond by [insert date]". Couples should set an RSVP deadline that is around four weeks before their wedding date.

• Accepts with pleasure / Declines with regret
• Accepts / Declines
• Accepts with joy / Regretfully declines
• Joyfully accepts / Regretfully declines
• Yes, you will see our/my face(s) / Sorry, we’re/I’m busy that day!
• Will attend / Unable to attend
• Delighted to attend / Regretfully cannot join you
• Can’t wait! / Can’t come
• We will see you there! / Sorry to miss out
• Let the good times roll! / You’re going to have to carry on without me
• Wouldn’t miss it for the world / Will celebrate from afar

Entree preference

When it comes to entree preferences, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to know how many of each entree your guests will want, especially if you're having a seated dinner. This information will be immensely helpful to your caterers, who will need these numbers to know how much of each dish to prepare. Secondly, you'll want to create a system where you know which guest wants each dish. Here are some suggestions for how to do this:

• Provide enough space for guests to write their initials next to each entree option.
• Create a separate line for each invited guest, where they can write their name, indicate whether they will attend, and then circle or initial their entree choice.
• Include a small icon of a chicken, fish, etc. on each place card so that the catering team can quickly identify which dish goes to which guest.
• Provide guests with online RSVP options, where they can select their meal preferences.
• "Please initial a meal choice for each guest: Chicken __ Fish __ Beef __ Vegetarian __"
• "Entree Preference: ▢ Chicken ▢ Fish ▢ Beef ▢ Vegetarian"
• "Please advise of any food allergies: __________________________"

Remember, it's not necessary to include a full menu, but it might be helpful to provide some more detail on each menu choice, such as "filet mignon" instead of just "beef".

Additional requests

The additional requests section of your RSVP card is a great opportunity to inject some personality into your wedding stationery and gather some fun insights from your guests. Here are some ideas for what to include:

Song Requests

Ask your guests to suggest a song that is sure to get them on the dance floor. This can be a fun way to generate a diverse playlist that caters to a variety of musical tastes. You could also ask for song requests for specific moments, such as the first dance or the father-daughter dance.

Drink Preferences

If you're stocking the bar yourself, it can be helpful to know your guests' drink preferences. This information can guide your purchasing decisions and ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy. You could also ask about their favourite cocktails or beer/wine preferences.

Favourite Memories

Including a request for a favourite memory involving the couple is a wonderful way to evoke heartfelt responses from your guests. These memories can be shared during the wedding reception or compiled into a keepsake book for the newlyweds.

Relationship or Marriage Advice

As an alternative to the traditional guestbook, you can ask your guests to share their words of wisdom for a long and happy marriage. This can be light-hearted or serious, and it often results in some entertaining and insightful responses.

Arrival and Accommodation Information

If you're curious about when your guests will be arriving or where they'll be staying, you can include a request for this information on your RSVP card. This can be helpful for planning wedding weekend activities or simply ensuring that everyone has suitable accommodation.

Special Requests or Accommodations

Allowing space for guests to note any special requests or accommodations can be important, especially if they have accessibility needs or dietary restrictions that weren't covered by the provided options. This ensures that everyone feels included and their needs are met.

Remember, the additional requests section is optional, so feel free to include as much or as little as you'd like. The most important elements are the RSVP deadline, guest names, and their reply (accept or decline).

Frequently asked questions