Writing A Gracious Response To A Wedding Invitation

Being invited to a wedding is always an honour, and it's important to respond promptly to let the happy couple know whether you will be able to celebrate with them. A formal invitation, such as for a wedding, requires a response that is both formal and cordial. It's a good idea to express your gratitude for being invited and to clearly state whether or not you will be attending. If you are accepting, it's customary to acknowledge the host's kindness in inviting you and to restate the occasion, date, time and location of the event.

Respond promptly

When you receive a wedding invitation, it is important to respond promptly. This is your first duty as a guest and will help the couple with their planning. Check your schedule and consult with anyone else included in the invitation, then respond as soon as you can.

If you are responding via a pre-included RSVP card, make sure to fill it out and send it back as soon as you can. It is easy for small cards to get lost or misplaced, so do this promptly. When filling out the RSVP card, don't forget to include key information such as your full name, whether you are bringing a plus one and any dietary restrictions. You can also add a personal touch, such as a congratulatory note.

If you are responding by post, email or another method, it is still important to respond quickly. A quick response will be appreciated by the couple, and will ensure that you don't forget to reply.

Include your full name

When writing a letter to accept a wedding invitation, it is important to include your full name. This is crucial for formal invitations and responses, especially when the wedding is hosted by the parents of the bride. Here are some examples of how to include your full name in a letter accepting a wedding invitation:

Example 1: Formal Acceptance

"Mr. and Mrs. John Doe are pleased to accept your kind invitation to a reception in honour of your daughter, Ashley, on Tuesday evening, the thirteenth of October at six-thirty o'clock at the Springfield Country Club."

Example 2: Informal Acceptance

"Dear Sally and George, Harry and I are so excited to attend your wedding on June 3rd, 2022. Kind regards, Harry and Claire O'Kiely."

Example 3: Formal Acceptance with Regrets

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith accept with pleasure your kind invitation for Saturday, the nineteenth of June. However, we regret that we will need to depart early due to a prior engagement."

Example 4: Informal Acceptance with a Personal Touch

"Dear Mick and Katie, Tom and I can't wait to celebrate your special day and be a part of the festivities on July 4th. We are so happy for you both! Best wishes, Amanda Walker."

Example 5: Formal Response with One Attendee

"Mr. Jack Barrows gladly accepts the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Heatherington for their daughter's wedding on Sunday, October 17th, at 2:00 pm. However, Ms. Mary Mulligan regrets that she will not be able to attend."

Remember, when responding to a formal invitation, it is customary to use titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", or "Dr." before your full name. For informal invitations, you can simply use your first and last name, or even just your first name, depending on your relationship with the couple.

State whether you're bringing a plus one

When responding to a wedding invitation, it is important to clarify whether you will be bringing a plus one. This is usually indicated on the outer envelope of the invitation, where the names of both the recipient and their plus one are written. If there is no plus one, the envelope will only bear the name of the recipient.

If you are bringing a plus one, it is important to include their name on the RSVP card. This is not only polite but also ensures that the hosts have an accurate headcount for the event. It is also helpful for the hosts when creating a seating chart, as they will know the name of your plus one in advance.

When addressing the envelope for your response, you can write the name of your plus one after yours, for example, "Mr. Smith and Guest". Alternatively, you can include a note at the bottom of the card or on the back of the invitation, stating "I/We will be bringing a plus one/guest".

If you are unsure about whether to bring a plus one, it is best to check with the couple getting married. They may have specific criteria for who is allowed to bring a plus one, and it is important to respect their wishes.

Remember to be mindful of the couple's budget and venue capacity when making your decision. Weddings can be expensive, and adding extra guests may not be feasible for the hosts. By being considerate of their constraints, you can help ensure that their special day goes smoothly.

Specify dietary requirements

When responding to a wedding invitation, it is important to specify any dietary requirements you may have. This is particularly important for formal weddings, where the couple will need to provide this information to their caterers.

If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to mention them clearly and concisely in your response. For example, you could say:

"We are delighted to accept your kind invitation and look forward to celebrating with you. I am a vegetarian, and my partner has a severe nut allergy."

Alternatively, if you are responding to an informal wedding invitation, you could add a more light-hearted tone to your message while still conveying the necessary information:

"We're so excited to be a part of your special day! Just wanted to let you know that I'm vegan, and my partner is gluten-free. Looking forward to a delicious meal and a fun celebration!"

If you are responding to a formal invitation with an RSVP card, be sure to specify your dietary requirements clearly on the card. You can also add a personal touch by including a short congratulatory note. For example:

"We accept with pleasure and look forward to celebrating with you. I am a vegetarian, and my partner has a gluten intolerance. Congratulations to you both!"

It is important to provide this information promptly to assist the couple with their wedding planning.

Send regrets if necessary

When responding to a wedding invitation, it is important to do so promptly and courteously. If you are unable to attend, it is best to inform the couple as soon as possible so they can invite someone else if they wish. Here are some examples of how to send your regrets in a formal and polite manner:

"Dear [Host Names], Thank you for the kind invitation to celebrate this special occasion with you. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend due to a prior commitment. I wish you all the best and hope you will have a wonderful day."

"Mr. and Mrs. [Your Name] regret that they are unable to accept your gracious invitation to the wedding of your daughter [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [Date]. We send our congratulations and warmest wishes for the day."

"I am so sorry that I cannot accept your kind invitation to your wedding on [Date]. I have to be out of town on that day, but I will be thinking of you and wishing you all the happiness in the world."

"Dear [Host Names], Thank you so much for thinking of me and inviting me to share your special day. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be unable to attend. I hope you will have a wonderful celebration and a joyous future together."

Remember to respond as soon as possible and to match the tone and formality of your response to that of the invitation. It is also a nice touch to include a personal message or well wishes for the couple.

Frequently asked questions