Wedding Invites And Response Cards: The Perfect Match

Wedding planning can be stressful, but response cards can help you keep track of your guest list. Response or reply cards are included with a wedding invitation to give you an accurate guest count for the reception. They are usually included as part of an invitation set, printed in the same style and paper stock as the invitation, but in a smaller size. Response cards are a great way to prompt guests to respond in a timely manner and help you organize the seating chart, menu, and even music playlist. You can also include a reply by date, giving your guests a deadline to respond by, and giving you time to follow up with guests who have yet to reply.

Response cards make tracking RSVPs easier

Response cards are an essential part of wedding planning, making it easier to keep track of RSVPs and manage your guest list. Here's why they are so useful and some tips on how to use them effectively:

Firstly, response cards provide an accurate guest count for the reception. They are typically included with the wedding invitation and give guests a simple way to indicate whether they will be attending or not. This helps you plan the event with a clear idea of the number of attendees, ensuring you have enough food, drinks, seating, and so on.

Secondly, response cards can include meal preferences. If you are offering entrée choices at the reception, the response card is a great place for guests to indicate their preference. This information is crucial for planning with caterers and ensuring guests receive their chosen meal on the day. A discreet system, such as a decoration on the guest's place card, can be used to indicate their choice without spoiling the surprise for other guests.

To make it easy for your guests to respond, it's a good idea to pre-address and stamp the response card envelope. This small detail can make a big difference in encouraging timely replies. You can also include an email address or phone number if you prefer electronic or phone responses.

It is recommended to include a "reply by" date, usually setting a deadline of two to three weeks before the wedding. This gives you time to follow up with guests who haven't responded and finalise numbers with vendors.

Finally, there are many stylish options available for response cards. You can choose from a variety of designs, fonts, and colours to match your wedding theme and create a cohesive look with your invitations.

Include a reply by date

When sending out wedding invitations, it is important to include a reply-by date. This is usually about two to three weeks before the wedding, giving the hosts enough time to follow up with guests who have not yet responded, and to provide accurate numbers to wedding vendors, such as caterers.

It is a good idea to pre-address and stamp the reply envelope to make it easier for guests to respond by mail. If you prefer to receive replies by email or phone, that is fine, too. Just include the necessary information on the response card and skip the envelope.

"The favour of your reply is requested by [date]"

"Please reply by [date]"

If you are offering entrée choices at the reception, you can also include a way for guests to indicate their preference, such as writing their initials next to their selection. This will help the servers identify which entrée each guest chose.

It is also worth noting that it is customary for response cards to be included as part of the invitation set, engraved or printed in the same style and paper stock as the invitation, but in a smaller size.

Pre-address and stamp the reply envelope

Pre-addressing and stamping the reply envelope for your wedding invitations is a simple way to make it easy for your guests to RSVP by mail. Here are some tips to help you with this task:

Envelope Format

The outer envelope is what you will stamp and address, while the inner envelope only contains the names of the invitees and the invitation itself. The outer envelope includes all the information the postal service needs for delivery. The inner envelope is not necessary but can be useful for clarifying who else is invited, such as plus-ones or children. The inner envelope also ensures that the outer envelope remains pristine and flawless during delivery.

Envelope Addressing

When addressing envelopes, it is important to follow the correct etiquette. For married couples with the same last name, traditionally, the man's full name is written out, with the titles "Mr." and "Mrs." included. For married couples with different last names, write out their full names with "Mr." or "Mrs." on the stationery. Either the man or the woman can be mentioned first.

If you are inviting single persons, use the appropriate prefix in addressing your guests: "Mr." for male guests, "Ms." for female guests, and "Mx." for non-binary guests. For a single guest with a plus-one, include "and Guest" or "and guest" after the invitee's full name.

Stamps

After addressing your envelopes, take a completed invitation to the post office to have it weighed. The weight of the inserts and the shape of the envelope can affect the required postage. Purchase wedding-themed stamps from the post office, or browse online for vintage or custom-designed stamps to match your wedding theme.

Assembly

When assembling your invitations, insert the invitation into the inner envelope with the print side up, so that when guests open the envelope, they will see the lettering. Place all other inserts, such as maps or reception cards, on top of the invitation, with their printed sides facing up, and the smallest insert on top. The reply card should be placed under the flap of its envelope, which should be pre-printed with the mailing address. Finally, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope, ensuring that the names of the guests are visible when the outer envelope flap is lifted.

Timing

It is recommended to send out your wedding invitations about six to eight weeks before the wedding. This allows your guests adequate time to respond and for you to get a reliable headcount one to two weeks before the event.

Add entrée choices

Adding entrée choices to your wedding invitations and response cards is a great way to streamline your big day and ensure your guests get their preferred meal. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you navigate this process:

Timing is Key

It is important to consider the timing of your menu choices and sending out invitations. Finalising your menu before sending out invitations allows you to include entrée choices on the response cards. However, if your menu is not yet finalised, you can still provide general categories such as "chicken," "beef," "fish," or "vegetarian." This gives your guests an idea of their options, and you can always include more detailed descriptions later.

Provide Clear Options

When including entrée choices on your response cards, ensure you provide clear and concise options for your guests. You can use categories such as "chicken," "beef," "fish," or "vegetarian," or be more specific with dishes like "filet mignon" or "poached salmon." Providing enough space for guests to write their initials next to their selection is also important. This helps you keep track of who chose which entrée.

Consider Dietary Restrictions

It is also a good idea to ask guests about any dietary restrictions or food allergies they may have. This can be done by including a line on the response card, such as "Please advise of any food allergies or dietary restrictions: _____________." This ensures that all your guests can enjoy a meal that accommodates their needs.

Be Mindful of Last-Minute Changes

While it is helpful to have an idea of your guests' entrée choices in advance, keep in mind that they might change their minds on the day of the wedding. To accommodate this, your caterer can bring a few extra servings of each entrée option.

Pairing Invitations and Response Cards

When pairing your wedding invitations with response cards, it is recommended to use the same style, paper stock, and format for both. This creates a cohesive look. Response cards are typically smaller in size and may be included as part of the invitation suite. You can also choose to include an additional enclosure card with the menu options if you prefer to keep the response card for attendance confirmation only.

Online RSVP Options

If you are using an online RSVP system as part of your wedding website, you can easily add fields for guests' meal choices. This digital approach saves paper and provides a convenient way for guests to respond.

By following these suggestions, you can effectively pair your wedding invitations with response cards that include entrée choices. This will help you organise your special day and ensure your guests have a delightful dining experience.

Include a special request line

Including a special request line in your wedding invitation is a great way to set the tone for your celebration. Here are some ideas and examples to consider:

Formal Request Lines:

"The honour of your presence is requested"

This phrase is often used to denote a religious ceremony and is a formal way to request the guest's attendance. The British spelling of "honour" adds a traditional and elegant touch.

"The pleasure of your company is requested"

If your wedding will be held at a non-religious venue, this request line is a perfect fit. It maintains a formal tone while adapting to the setting of your choice.

"Together with their parents, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company"

In this example, the couple is hosting the wedding together with their parents, and the request line reflects their collaboration. It's a gracious way to include both sets of parents in the invitation.

Informal Request Lines:

"You are invited to the wedding of [couple's names]"

This simple and direct request line is perfect for an informal wedding. It's clear and concise, providing guests with all the information they need.

"Kindly join us at the wedding of [couple's names]"

With a friendly tone, this request line invites guests to be a part of the couple's special day. It's a warm and welcoming way to extend the invitation.

"Please come help us celebrate our love"

This request line is all about celebrating the love between the couple and inviting guests to share in their joy. It's a lovely way to express the sentiment of the occasion.

Additional Tips:

• When including the couple's names, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order based on alphabetical order or what looks best with the invitation design.
• The request line can also be an opportunity to honour a deceased parent. For example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez, and Stephen Byrne."
• If you want to include step-parents, you can list all four parents' names, such as: "Mr. & Mrs. Flores, Mr. & Mrs. Hill, Mr. & Mrs. Byrne, and Mr. & Mrs. Lin request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne."

Frequently asked questions