Creating The Perfect Wedding Rsvp Cards

Wedding RSVP cards are an important part of the wedding invitation suite. They are a thoughtful and classic way for guests to reply to invites, providing the couple with a timely and personal response. The card should include a deadline by which the couple would like to receive the response, and the guest's name, dietary requirements, and meal preference. The tone of the RSVP card should match the style of the wedding and invitations, whether that be formal or informal.

Who to invite: Adults only? Plus ones?

Deciding whether to have an adults-only wedding or allow plus-ones can be tricky. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

Adults-Only Wedding

If you're planning an adults-only wedding, it's important to be clear about this on your invitations and RSVP cards. This will help your guests understand your wishes and avoid any confusion or miscommunication. You can also use your wedding website to communicate this information to your guests. By making your preferences known in advance, you can avoid potential misunderstandings or last-minute surprises.

Plus-Ones

When it comes to plus-ones, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's common courtesy to invite guests who are in a serious relationship, such as engaged, married, or living together. This is a way to show respect to their relationship and make them feel included. However, it's not necessary to invite plus-ones for single guests unless you have the budget and space to accommodate them. If you're having a destination wedding or a very small, intimate ceremony, you may want to consider allowing plus-ones to make your guests feel more comfortable and accompanied.

Practical Considerations

When deciding on your guest list, it's essential to keep your budget and venue capacity in mind. The number of guests you invite will impact your spending, so it's crucial to set a realistic target number. Creating a guest list can be challenging, but by following some guidelines, you can make the process easier. Consider categorising your guests into three groups: most important, so-so, and not important. This will help you trim down the list if needed.

Additionally, it's a good idea to set ground rules, such as only inviting people you've seen or spoken to in the last year. This ensures that your guest list includes only those who are truly important to you. Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love with the people who bring you joy and excitement.

Communication is Key

No matter what you decide, clear and consistent communication is essential. Be transparent about your expectations and preferences to avoid any misunderstandings. This will help you create a guest list that aligns with your vision for your special day.

How to word the invitation: Formal or casual?

The wording of your wedding invitation should match the style of your wedding. If you're having a formal wedding, your invitation wording should be formal, and likewise, if your wedding is informal, your invitation wording can be more relaxed.

For a formal wedding invitation, you should include the host details, which is particularly important for formal wedding invites. This reflects who is paying for the wedding, whether that be you, your parents, or another family member. The host information should be at the top of the invitation, including the full names of the hosts and their middle names. If there is more than one host, list all the host names. For formal wedding invites, the names of the bride's parents should be listed before the groom's. If you are hosting with the support of your family, you can precede the host names with the phrase "together with their families".

A formal wedding invitation should use phrases like "your presence is requested" and "we request the pleasure of your company" rather than "you're invited". Address the invitation using the full names of all invited guests. Make sure to double-check the spelling of each guest's name. For couples that are married and share the same last name, address the invite to "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe". For unmarried couples or couples that are married but have different last names, write their names on two separate lines, using their full first and last names.

The date, time and location of the event should also be included. For a formal invite, this information should be written out in full. For example, instead of writing "4:30 pm", you would write, "four-thirty in the afternoon". The time should be followed by phrases such as "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening".

Most formal events have a dress code, so be sure to state this clearly on your invitation. State whether the event is a white tie affair or black tie, or if there is a particular theme.

For a formal RSVP card, use wording such as "The favour of a response is requested by". For informal RSVP card wording, keep it simple with "Kindly reply", "Kindly respond" or "Please respond by".

If you are having an informal wedding, then your invitation wording can be more relaxed and mirror your personal style. You can be more creative with the language and have some fun with the wording. Here are some examples of informal wedding invitation wording:

"Come party with us, Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow."

"Good food, good drinks, good friends. Jack Smith & Mason Kim request you celebrate with them as they get hitched Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Party to follow."

How to respond: Post, email, phone, or online?

There are a few options when it comes to how your guests can respond to your wedding invites. Traditionally, you would send a physical RSVP card to be returned by post. However, in recent years, digital responses have become more popular. This could be for a variety of reasons, such as saving on paper, budgeting, or simply personal preference. If you're opting for digital RSVPs, you can include a telephone number for text messages, an email address, or a link to your wedding website on your wedding invitation or details card.

If you're including a physical RSVP card, it's a good idea to provide a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope to make it as easy as possible for your guests to respond. You can also pre-print your guests' names on the cards or leave a space for them to write their names. This will make it easier for you to keep track of your guest count.

For digital RSVPs, you can use a website builder app like Joy to help manage the process. Alternatively, you can include your email address, phone number, or wedding website link on your wedding invitation, and guests can respond through these channels.

It's important to consider your guest list when deciding on a response method. For example, older relatives might prefer a physical RSVP card, while your friends might be fine with responding digitally. You can also delegate the task of collecting RSVPs to a friend or family member, who can then provide you with the final guest count.

No matter which response method you choose, be sure to set a clear deadline for your guests to respond by. This will help you finalise your wedding plans and ensure you have an accurate headcount for your vendors.

When to respond: Set a deadline

Setting an RSVP deadline is crucial to finalising the wedding day arrangements. The deadline is the most important detail on your RSVP card. It is recommended to set the RSVP deadline for around four to six weeks before the wedding date. This will allow the couple and vendors to finalise any last-minute details, such as the amount of food and drinks needed and the seating plan.

The deadline should be based on the dates provided by the wedding suppliers, such as the caterers and the venue. It is also important to give guests enough time to respond, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. Avoid sending out invitations only a week before the RSVP deadline.

To ensure timely responses, it is suggested to send out reminders to guests a week or so before the deadline. This can be done through personal contact, phone calls, or online communication. It is also essential to clearly state the return address or provide relevant RSVP information, such as a telephone number, email address, or a link to the wedding website.

Some couples may prefer to receive digital responses instead of physical RSVP cards. In such cases, it is advisable to include the digital response details on the wedding invitation or a separate details card. This ensures that guests can easily find the information and respond accordingly.

• "Kindly reply by [insert date]"
• "Please respond by [insert date]"
• "Your reply is kindly requested before [date]"
• "Please RSVP no later than [date]"
• "A favour of a response is kindly requested before [date]"

Dietary requirements: Allergies, restrictions, and preferences

Dietary requirements are an important aspect of wedding planning, and it is crucial to accommodate your guests' needs. Here are some tips and suggestions for including dietary requirements on your RSVP cards:

Allergies and Restrictions:

It is essential to ask about allergies and dietary restrictions on your RSVP cards. Some guests may have life-threatening allergies, such as gluten, dairy, nuts, or other specific triggers. It is polite to ask about these restrictions rather than relying on guests to inform you beforehand. A simple line titled "Dietary Requirements" or "Allergies" on the RSVP card will suffice. Alternatively, you can include a note, such as "Please email [email address] with any dietary requirements." This way, you can collect this information separately from the RSVP card.

Food Preferences:

In addition to allergies and restrictions, it is a good idea to ask about your guests' food preferences. For example, some guests may be vegan or vegetarian, and providing this option ensures they feel included. You can use checkboxes or a fill-in-the-blank line for guests to indicate their preferences. If you are offering a plated dinner, you can also mention the meal type (buffet or plated) and provide entrée options for guests to choose from.

Catering Considerations:

When planning your catering, it is crucial to consider the number of guests with specific dietary requirements. Communicate this information to your caterers well in advance to ensure they can accommodate everyone's needs. It may be helpful to provide a spreadsheet with clear and orderly information on dietary requirements to your caterers. This will make their job easier and reduce the risk of any last-minute surprises.

Sample Wording:

• "Please list any dietary restrictions or allergies:"
• "Are there any dietary requirements we should be aware of? (allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc.):"
• "Please specify any dietary restrictions or food allergies:"
• "We want to ensure we cater to your needs. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies:"

Remember to keep the wording concise and clear, and provide enough space for guests to write their requirements.

Frequently asked questions