Creating Rsvp Cards: A Wedding Diy Guide

Wedding RSVP cards are an important part of your invitation suite. They are a great way to ensure your guests RSVP and allow you to keep track of your guest list. You can create your own RSVP cards using online templates, or make them from scratch using programs such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Illustrator, or PowerPoint. You can then print them at home or use a printing service.

Choosing a program to design your cards

There are many different programs you can use to design your own RSVP cards for your wedding. If you are looking for a simple option, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Publisher are all useful tools. You can also save your design as a JPEG or PDF and then upload it to an online printing service, such as Vistaprint or Costco.

If you are looking for something a little more advanced, Adobe Illustrator or InDesign are great options. You can download the Adobe Suites on a trial basis, but be aware that some computers may not be able to handle the software.

Another option is to use a website that specializes in creating custom invitations and RSVP cards, such as Greetings Island or 123Print. These sites offer a variety of templates and customization tools to help you create your perfect card. You can also download your finished project as an image or PDF and print it at home or at a local print shop.

Finally, if you're looking for unique designs, Etsy is a great option. Many sellers on Etsy offer customizable RSVP card templates that you can download and edit yourself. You can also find sellers who will work with you to create a completely custom design.

Adding personal touches

• Customise the wording: While the structure of the RSVP card should follow a standard format, you can get creative with the wording to match your wedding style. For a formal wedding, consider using phrases like "Graciously Accepts" and "Respectfully Declines". If you're having an informal wedding, you can use playful and fun wording such as "Yes, let's party!" and "No, but I'll be there in spirit!". You can also tailor the wording to your wedding theme, such as using travel-themed wording for a destination wedding.
• Include a special request line: Ask your guests to make song requests, share their drink of choice, or write a favourite memory of the couple. This adds a fun element to the RSVP process and helps you gather valuable information for your wedding planning.
• Personalise the design: Choose a design that reflects your style as a couple. You can incorporate your wedding colours, add floral illustrations, or use unique fonts to make your RSVP cards stand out. If you're crafty, consider designing the cards yourself using programs like Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint. That way, you can truly customise every aspect of the card.
• Add a personal note: Encourage your guests to include a short personal message with their response. This could be a simple well-wish like "We can't wait to celebrate with you!" or a more descriptive note sharing their excitement for your special day. These personal touches will make the RSVP process more meaningful.
• Provide dietary options: If you're offering a selection of foods at your wedding, use checkboxes or fill-in-the-blank lines to allow guests to indicate their meal preferences and any dietary restrictions or allergies. This attention to detail will ensure your guests feel catered to and help you plan the menu effectively.
• Incorporate your wedding theme: If you have a specific wedding theme or motif, carry it through to your RSVP cards. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, use tropical floral designs. Or, if you're opting for a mountain wedding, include pine tree illustrations. This creates a cohesive feel throughout your wedding stationery.

Remember, your RSVP cards are an extension of your personalities, so don't be afraid to get creative and add those personal touches!

Wording and layout

The wording and layout of your RSVP cards are important to ensure that you get the information you need from your guests. Here are some tips to help you create your own RSVP cards for your wedding:

Include a blank line for names

Start the card with a blank line for your guests to write their names. It is customary 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 spell their names correctly on the seating chart.

Make it clear how many guests are invited

To prevent any misunderstandings, be clear about the number of guests invited per couple or family. You can indicate this by writing "__ of __ attending" with the second space pre-filled with the appropriate number. This will help you avoid surprises on your big day.

Include an attendance line

The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to find out who is coming to your wedding, so include an attendance line for guests to accept or decline your invitation. This could be in the format of checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines. It is also helpful to set an RSVP deadline, usually about four weeks before the wedding date, to give you enough time to finalise the details with your vendors.

Collect dietary restrictions and meal preferences

If you are serving dinner at your wedding reception, include a section on the RSVP card for guests to indicate their meal preferences and any dietary restrictions or food allergies. Mention the type of meal (buffet or plated dinner) and provide checkboxes for entree options if necessary.

Add a special request line

You can also include a special request line on your RSVP cards. This could be for song requests, drink preferences, a favourite memory of the couple, or relationship advice. This adds a fun element to the RSVP process and makes it more enjoyable for you and your partner to receive the responses.

Choose a size and format

RSVP cards typically come in standard sizes, such as 5" x 3.5" (portrait or landscape) or 5" x 5" (square). You can also choose to create a postcard-style RSVP card, which can be more cost-effective. Consider the amount of information you need to include and choose a format that allows enough space for all the necessary details.

Customise with your preferred design and wording

There are many online templates and digital customisation tools available to help you create your own RSVP cards. You can add photos, colours, fonts, patterns, graphics, borders, and even signatures to match your wedding theme and style. If you have a completed design, you can upload it and use it as a template.

Printing options

There are several printing options available for those who want to make their own RSVP cards for a wedding. Here are some suggestions:

• Microsoft Word: You can create your RSVP cards using Microsoft Word and then save them as PDFs. After that, you can upload the design to an online printing service, such as Vistaprint.
• Adobe Illustrator: This software allows you to create more complex designs and illustrations.
• PowerPoint: Like Microsoft Word, you can design your RSVP cards in PowerPoint and then save them as JPEGs. You can then upload the JPEGs to a printing service, such as Costco.
• Microsoft Publisher: Microsoft Publisher is another option for creating simple, plain, and straightforward RSVP cards. You can print them on blank folded cards using your home inkjet printer.
• Etsy: Etsy offers a wide range of DIY RSVP card templates that you can purchase, customise, and print yourself. Many of these templates are editable, allowing you to personalise the text, colours, and other design elements.
• Greetings Island: Greetings Island provides free customisable online RSVP templates that you can edit, print at home, or send electronically. They also offer premium invitations that include RSVP cards for a small fee. Additionally, they provide print services with competitive prices and free shipping.
• 123Print: 123Print allows you to create custom RSVP cards using their digital customization tools. You can add photos, colours, fonts, patterns, graphics, borders, event information, and even signatures to your designs. They offer standard RSVP card sizes and include white wove envelopes with your order.

Collecting RSVPs

Include Clear Instructions:

On your RSVP cards, be sure to include clear and concise instructions for your guests. Indicate whether they should respond by mail, phone, or online. If you have a wedding website, include the URL, and if there's a deadline for responses, make sure to mention it prominently.

Provide Necessary Information Fields:

Your RSVP card should have lines or checkboxes for guests to indicate their names, whether they are attending or declining, and the number of people attending if they are bringing a plus-one or family members. If you're offering meal options, include a section for guests to specify their meal choices and any dietary restrictions.

Set a Deadline:

It's essential to set an RSVP deadline, usually about four weeks before the wedding date. This gives you and your vendors enough time to finalise details like food quantities and seating arrangements. Don't forget to send a gentle reminder to your guests a week or so before the deadline to improve response rates.

Consider Online RSVPs:

Using an online service or wedding website for RSVPs can be a convenient and cost-effective option. It streamlines the process and makes it easier to manage your guest list. However, you may also want to include paper RSVP cards for older guests who are not tech-savvy.

Mail Out RSVP Cards with Invitations:

The standard practice is to include RSVP cards with your wedding invitations. This makes it convenient for guests to respond, and you can expect responses to start arriving soon after you send out the invites. The cards should be pre-addressed and pre-stamped to make it easier for guests to send back their responses.

Track Responses:

Create a system to track responses to ensure you have an accurate headcount. You can use a simple spreadsheet or a guest list management tool. This will help you identify who hasn't responded yet and send reminders if needed.

Remember, the key to successful RSVP collection is clear communication and providing your guests with all the necessary information and instructions.

Frequently asked questions