Rsvp Cards For Weddings: To Make Or Not To Make?

Wedding RSVP cards are an important part of wedding planning. They are a way for guests to reply to your wedding invitations, allowing you to track your guest count and their dietary needs. While they are not mandatory, they are a useful addition to your wedding invitation suite. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of including RSVP cards in your wedding invitations and offer some suggestions for wording and design. We will also explore alternative ways to collect RSVPs from your guests.

The benefits of digital RSVPs

Digital RSVPs offer a host of advantages for the happy couple and their guests. Here are some reasons why digital RSVPs are a great option for weddings:

Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective

Digital RSVPs are a fantastic eco-friendly alternative to paper response cards, reducing unnecessary paper waste. They are also cost-effective, saving money on stamps and printing costs. This is especially beneficial if you are on a tight budget for your wedding.

Convenience and Efficiency

Online RSVPs are more convenient and hassle-free for both the couple and their guests. They eliminate the need for post office trips and are easily accessible for international guests with just a click of a button. Digital RSVPs also automatically sync with your guest list, making it easier to manage and track responses. You can see at a glance who has received, opened, and responded to your invitation, and quickly identify those who need a reminder.

Customizable and Informative

Digital response forms can be customized to gather additional information from your guests, such as meal choices, dietary restrictions, and even song requests. You can also include details about your wedding website, providing guests with easy access to important information like venue directions, dress codes, gift registry, and accommodation options.

Instant Responses and Reminders

With digital RSVPs, you receive instant notifications when guests respond, allowing you to quickly update your guest list and provide accurate numbers to your caterers and venue. You can also easily send reminders to guests who haven't responded yet, ensuring you get a more accurate headcount early on.

Optional Guest List Visibility

Some digital RSVP platforms offer the option to make the guest list visible to other invitees. This can encourage attendance, especially for guests who are on the fence about attending. Seeing familiar names on the guest list can make the event feel more inclusive and reduce the anxiety of attending a large celebration alone.

Confirmation for Guests

Digital RSVPs provide instant confirmation to guests, assuring them that their response has been received. This feature is often appreciated by guests, especially for large events where individual confirmations may not be feasible. It also gives you an opportunity to include additional information, such as hotel details, directions, and gift registry links.

How to politely nudge guests to RSVP

While it's exciting to send out wedding invitations, it can be frustrating to wait for RSVPs to trickle in—or not come at all. Here are some tips for politely nudging your guests to respond:

Make it Easy

The easier it is to RSVP, the more likely your guests will do it on time. Even if you send paper invitations, consider using an online provider like RSVPify to collect responses. Signing into a website is quick and easy, and it simplifies things for you, too, since you won't have to track responses manually.

Track Responses Digitally

If you receive physical RSVPs, track responses digitally in a spreadsheet. Create a column with all your guests' names, and note "yes" or "no" depending on their answer.

Tell Guests How to RSVP

Keep it simple and spell it out. Put the RSVP deadline directly on the RSVP card or e-card, and tell your guests exactly how to reply, whether by post or online. Give them enough time to figure out their plans, but not so much time that they forget to respond.

Send a Gentle Reminder

Before the RSVP deadline arrives, send a polite reminder to those who haven't replied yet. You might say something like:

> "Our big day is so close, and we're so excited! Just a little reminder to RSVP by [date] to let us know if you'll be able to join in the fun!"

Or:

> "We've been busy with all the wedding planning and wanted to share some exciting news: we've confirmed our favourite local band to play all the best tunes! Get ready to dance with us by RSVPing by [date]."

Be Polite and Direct

When reaching out to individual guests, be polite and direct. Ask how they're doing, let them know the RSVP deadline has passed, emphasize how much you want them there, and thank them. It's also a good idea to go into these conversations with a definitive deadline. If your guests don't get back to you by then, it's time to move on with planning without them.

The importance of including a stamped, addressed envelope with postal RSVP cards

Including a stamped, addressed envelope with postal RSVP cards is a thoughtful gesture that makes it easier for your wedding guests to respond to your invitation. It is also a way to ensure that you receive responses in a timely manner, which is crucial for finalising wedding plans. Here are some reasons why including a stamped, addressed envelope with postal RSVP cards is important:

Convenience for Guests

It is a thoughtful gesture that makes it more convenient for your guests to respond. Without a pre-stamped envelope, guests would have to source and pay for their own postage, which may be an inconvenience or a deterrent to responding. By providing a stamped, addressed envelope, you make it as simple as possible for your guests to pop the card into the envelope and then into a mailbox. This is especially important if you have older guests who may not be comfortable with digital RSVP alternatives.

Timely Responses

Including a stamped, addressed envelope can help to ensure that you receive responses within your desired timeframe. Without the hassle of sourcing postage, guests are more likely to respond promptly. This is crucial as the responses will impact various aspects of your wedding planning, such as finalising the guest count, arranging seating, and coordinating food and drink requirements with your vendors.

Cost for Guests

It is standard etiquette to include postage with RSVP cards to avoid putting your guests in an awkward position. Asking guests to pay for postage to respond to your invitation can be considered rude and may even be seen as tacky. Providing a stamped envelope ensures that your guests do not incur any costs when accepting or declining your invitation.

Alternative Options

If you are concerned about the cost of providing postage for all your guests, there are alternative options available. You could consider using RSVP postcards, which have lower postage rates. Another option is to provide multiple ways for guests to RSVP, such as through a wedding website, email, or phone call. However, offering multiple options can make it more challenging to collate the information, so it is recommended to keep it to two options.

How to handle additional guests

Handling additional guests can be a tricky situation, but there are several ways to approach it. Here are some tips on how to handle extra guests for your wedding:

Be Clear and Direct

When sending out invitations, be explicit about the number of guests invited per invite. Avoid providing a fillable line for the number of guests and instead, write out the number clearly. For example, instead of writing "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" with a line below for them to fill in the number of guests, write "Mr. and Mrs. Smith (+1)" to indicate that they are invited with one additional guest. This helps to eliminate confusion and over-inviting.

Set Realistic Expectations

In your invitations, you can also include a note about your venue's capacity and your desire to accommodate everyone comfortably. Something like: "We appreciate all our friends and family who wish to be present on our special day. Please understand that we have limited seating and can only accommodate the invited guests, plus one additional attendee". This sets clear guidelines and helps guests understand your constraints.

Contact Guests Directly

If you become aware of guests planning to bring extra people, don't be afraid to reach out and politely inform them that you are unable to accommodate additional guests. You can call, email, or even send a note in the mail. Explain that while you would love to include everyone, your venue and budget constraints don't allow for it. Most guests will understand, especially if you communicate this in advance.

Enlist Help

If you're uncomfortable addressing the issue directly, you can enlist the help of a wedding coordinator, a trusted friend, or family member to handle these conversations. They can tactfully explain the situation and help maintain a peaceful environment for your big day.

Plan for Extras

Finally, it's a good idea to anticipate that some guests may bring extra people. While it's not ideal, having a buffer in your guest count can help alleviate last-minute stress. You can also consider inviting certain guests to the ceremony only, especially if you know they would appreciate being included in the celebration but you're unable to accommodate them at the reception.

Remember, it's your special day, and it's important to set clear boundaries and manage expectations. By being proactive and communicative, you can handle additional guests gracefully and ensure your wedding goes smoothly.

The pros and cons of offering multiple RSVP options

RSVP cards are a great way to keep track of your headcount, dietary requirements, and guests' menu choices. They are also useful keepsakes for your wedding memory box. While they are not absolutely necessary, they are considered a critical part of your wedding stationery suite.

Pros of offering multiple RSVP options:

• You can expect a higher response rate by catering to different preferences and levels of tech-savviness.
• Older or less tech-savvy guests may prefer a physical response, while busy guests will appreciate the convenience of a digital option.
• You can save money on stamps and stationery by offering a digital option.
• Digital responses are less likely to get lost, and you won't have to manually keep track of responses.
• You can use your wedding website to instantly see RSVPs and start planning for food and drink requirements.

Cons of offering multiple RSVP options:

• It can be more challenging to collate information from multiple sources.
• There is a risk of double-counting if guests use both options to respond.
• Some guests may add extra guests or fail to respond on time, regardless of the RSVP option provided.
• You may still need to chase down some guests for their responses, even with multiple options.
• There is a chance that some guests will find digital RSVPs confusing.

In conclusion, offering multiple RSVP options can increase response rates and cater to different guest preferences. However, it may also create more work for you in collating responses and could potentially lead to confusion or double-counting. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what you think will work best for your guest list.

Frequently asked questions