Crafting Wedding Rsvp Cards: A Guide To Getting Started

Creating RSVP cards for your wedding is a crucial step in the planning process. These cards allow your guests to confirm their attendance and provide additional information that will help you finalise the details of your big day. In this discussion, we will explore the key considerations for designing and sending out your wedding RSVP cards, ensuring that you receive timely and informative responses from your invited guests. From wording and format choices to the inclusion of dietary restrictions and special requests, we will guide you through the process of making RSVP cards that are both functional and reflective of your unique style. Whether you opt for traditional response cards or explore digital alternatives, this topic will empower you to make informed decisions and create RSVP cards that align with your vision for your wedding celebration.

What to include on the card

The first thing to include on your RSVP cards is a blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal RSVP card, you might write an "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name. This guarantees that you know who is attending and how to correctly spell everyone's names on the seating chart.

Next, you'll want to know if they are attending or declining. If they are attending, make sure there is a place for them to indicate who is coming. You can indicate the exact number of guests invited by saying "__ of __ attending" with the second space pre-filled with a number, instead of just "__ attending."

If you'll be serving dinner at your wedding reception, you can include a section for guests' food preferences and dietary requirements or allergies. You can mention the meal type: buffet or plated dinner, and use checkboxes to indicate their entrée options.

Finally, you can include a special request line on your RSVP cards. This could be song requests, drink preferences to help stock the bar, or a favourite memory of the couple or relationship advice.

How to word the card

The first thing to include on your RSVP cards is a blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal RSVP card, you may want to write an "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name. This guarantees that you know who is attending and how to correctly spell everyone's name on the seating chart.

You'll then want to know whether they are attending or declining. If they are attending, make sure there is a place for them to indicate who is coming, and how many seats they will be using out of their allotment. For example, you might say "__ of __ attending" (with the second space pre-filled with a number) instead of just "__ attending."

If you need your guests to indicate their meal choice, this is where they can do it. They can either initial their choice or write it out in full.

It is also considered good etiquette to include a short personal note to the couple. This can be as simple as "We can't wait to watch you say 'I do'!" if they're attending, or "We're so sorry we can't make it—we have a prior obligation that day but are sending you love and best wishes from afar!" if they can't.

If you are collecting RSVPs digitally, you can collect far more information without making things confusing for guests. It's easy to add sections for transportation ("Do you intend to take our shuttle to and from the ceremony and reception?"), hotel bookings, and whether or not they'll attend related events.

How to address the envelopes

The envelopes for your RSVP cards should have the name(s) and address of whoever is handling the RSVPs on the front. This could be you and your partner, either of your parents, your wedding planner, or someone in the wedding party. If you and your partner are handling the RSVPs yourselves, you may address the cards with both your full names or just one person's name if you live separately. A cute alternative is "The future [insert last name]s" if you're choosing to share a last name.

It is customary to include a stamp on each envelope so your guests don't need to pay for postage. You can also include a pre-printed response card, or a "details" card with a wedding website where guests can RSVP digitally. If you're providing an online RSVP option, include the link to your wedding website on the printed wedding RSVP card.

If you're sending out physical RSVP cards, make sure to include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope with each one so your guests can easily send their responses back to you.

How to collect RSVPs online

Collecting RSVPs online is a great way to save money and streamline the process of wedding planning. Here are some tips on how to collect RSVPs online:

Use an Online Platform

Use an online platform or event management software such as RSVPify or SignUpGenius to automate your event management. These platforms allow you to create a custom event registration and RSVP experience, track event invitees, and manage guest communications. You can also use them to create a bespoke event website and registration process, allowing guests to RSVP online.

Embed an RSVP Form on Your Website

If you have a wedding website, you can embed an RSVP form directly onto your website. This allows guests to register for your event and provide any additional information you may need, such as meal choices or song requests. Platforms like AddEvent offer embeddable RSVP forms that are customizable and require no coding experience.

Include an RSVP Link in Your Emails

Another option is to include an RSVP link in your emails to guests. Copy and paste the link into your emails, and choose from different styling options to match your email branding. This method works with all email campaign tools, including Mailchimp, Marketo, Hubspot, and Salesforce.

Create an RSVP Landing Page

Create an RSVP landing page where guests can learn more about your event, register, and add it to their calendars. This page can be easily shared on social media or via text, and it can be customized to match your branding. AddEvent is an example of a platform that automatically creates and hosts unique landing pages for each of your RSVP events.

Paper RSVP Cards vs. Online RSVPs

While paper RSVP cards are traditional, they may not be necessary if you choose to collect RSVPs online. However, you may want to include a paper RSVP card for guests who are less tech-savvy. You can also include a QR code on a traditional RSVP card that directs guests to an online RSVP form.

By using these methods, you can efficiently collect RSVPs online and make the wedding planning process easier for both you and your guests.

RSVP card design and formatting

RSVP cards are an important part of your invitation suite. They can be included with your wedding invitations or sent separately as invite alternatives. They are a classy way for guests to respond to your event and provide elegant reminders to friends, family, and close business relationships that you want them to be there to celebrate your love.

RSVP cards can be purchased as part of a cheap wedding invitation set, or you can choose to buy traditional wedding response cards separately to complement your wedding invitations. You can also create your own RSVP cards using customizable templates, or upload your own design.

The standard RSVP card size is 5 ½” x 4 ¼”. You can include RSVP envelopes with your cards, which usually come in white wove, or upgrade to textured linen.

RSVP cards can be designed with a variety of styles, patterns, and themes, such as:

• Initialed Border
• Bold Type
• Elegant Script
• Blue Hydrangea
• Twinkling Arch
• Striking Botanical
• Vintage Floral
• Natural Elements
• And many more!

When designing your RSVP cards, there are a few key pieces of information to include:

• A blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal RSVP card, write an "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name.
• A way for guests to indicate their attendance. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines.
• A deadline for guests to respond by. This is usually around four to six weeks before the wedding date to give the couple and their vendors enough time to coordinate last-minute details.
• Meal preferences and dietary restrictions. If you are serving dinner at your wedding, you can include checkboxes for entree options and a fill-in-the-blank line for guests to detail any dietary restrictions.
• A special request line (optional). You can include a song request line, or ask for guests' drink of choice to help you decide how to stock your bar.

In addition to the above, there are a few other design and formatting tips to keep in mind:

• If you are having a formal wedding, consider using formal RSVP wording such as "Accepts with pleasure" and "Declines with regret".
• If you are having an informal wedding, you may want your stationery to convey a relaxed, party-ready vibe with more casual wording such as "Yasss, let's party!"
• If you are having a destination wedding, you can use enclosure cards with subtle travel references to reflect your destination venue, such as tropical floral designs for a beach wedding or pine tree illustrations for mountain nuptials.
• If you prefer, you can include instructions for guests to RSVP online instead of including a physical RSVP card. This can be done through your wedding website or a separate URL.
• If you are having multiple wedding events, you can include a multi-event RSVP card.
• If you are concerned about guests adding extra names to the RSVP, you can word your cards to indicate the exact number of guests invited, for example, "_ out of _ attending".

Frequently asked questions