Rsvping To A Wedding: Crafting A Thoughtful Acceptance

When writing a wedding acceptance, it's important to respond as soon as possible. The tone of your response should match the style of the wedding – whether it's formal or informal. If it's a formal affair, you'll need to respond with a note that's equally formal. This should be handwritten with a formal tone, free of grammar and spelling mistakes. Begin with a statement of gratitude and acknowledge the occasion, date, and time. State your pleasure in accepting the invitation and your excitement in celebrating the occasion. If you're unable to attend, it's still important to respond promptly so that the couple can invite someone else in your place.

Formal acceptance structure

A formal wedding acceptance should be handwritten with a formal tone, even if it is a personal response. It should be free of any grammatical or spelling errors, so take your time to construct the response carefully.

First Paragraph:

Begin with a statement of gratitude, such as "Thank you for your gracious invitation." This sets a polite and appreciative tone for the rest of the letter.

Second Paragraph:

Acknowledge the occasion, date, and time of the wedding, as well as your relationship to the couple or hosts. For example, "We are honoured to accept your invitation to the wedding of your daughter, Johanna, to Mr. Hannes Yuval, on Sunday, March 17th at 2:00 pm."

Third Paragraph:

Express your pleasure in accepting the invitation and your excitement to celebrate this special occasion with the hosts and the couple. You can also mention any other relevant details, such as your accommodation arrangements or travel plans.

Fourth Paragraph:

Conclude with a sentence reflecting your relationship with the host and appropriate closing remarks. For instance, "We are looking forward to sharing this joyous occasion with you at the Grand Ballroom. Sincerely, Mr. and Mrs. [Your Last Name]."

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Andrews,

Thank you for your gracious invitation to the wedding reception of your daughter, Johanna, to Mr. Hannes Yuval.

Mr. and Mrs. [Your Full Name] are honoured to accept your kind invitation for Sunday, March 17th, at 2:00 pm.

We are delighted to be a part of this special day and look forward to celebrating with you and the happy couple. We have arranged accommodation nearby and are excited to join you at the Grand Ballroom.

Sincerely,

Mr. and Mrs. [Your Last Name]"

Remember to adjust the tone, wording, and level of formality according to your relationship with the couple and the style of the wedding.

Informal acceptance structure

An informal wedding acceptance should be a brief, personalised response, and it's completely fine to write a more casual message. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft your own:

• Start with a friendly greeting: "Hi [Couple's Names]!" or "Dear [Couple's Names],"
• Express your excitement and happiness for the couple: "We are so excited/happy for you!" or "Congratulations, we're thrilled for you both!"
• Confirm your attendance: "We will be there/of course we'll be there/we accept with pleasure"
• Reference the wedding day and date: "Can't wait to celebrate with you on [date]" or "So excited to see you tie the knot on [date]"
• Add a personal touch: mention something you're looking forward to about the wedding, an inside joke, or a fun memory with the couple
• Send your well wishes: "Wishing you all the best/lots of love/a lifetime of happiness"
• End with a friendly closing: "Love, [your name]", "Hugs, [your name]", or "See you soon, [your name]"

Examples

"Hi [Couple's Names]! We are so happy to hear about your upcoming wedding! We will be there to celebrate with you on [date]. We can't wait for a fun day and to see you both so happy. Sending you all our love and well wishes. Hugs, [your name(s)]"

"Dear [Couple's Names], congratulations! We are so excited for you both and can't wait to celebrate your special day with you on [date]. It's been so wonderful to watch your love story unfold, and we know your wedding will be a beautiful reflection of your love. We're thrilled to be a part of it and are sending you all our love and best wishes. See you soon! Love, [your name(s)]"

"Hi guys! We are so excited that you're getting married and can't wait to be there to support you both. We know it's going to be an amazing day and are looking forward to making some new memories with you. Lots of love and congratulations! [your name(s)]"

What to include

When responding to a wedding invitation, it is important to do so promptly. The level of formality of your acceptance should match that of the invitation. If the invitation is formal, your response should be handwritten with a formal tone. If the invitation is informal, you can be more relaxed in your response.

• Gratitude: Begin your acceptance with a statement of gratitude, such as "thank you" or "we are honoured".
• Details of the event: Acknowledge the occasion, date, and time of the wedding.
• Your response: State whether you are accepting or declining the invitation. If you are accepting, express your pleasure and excitement about celebrating the occasion with the hosts. If you are declining, express your regret and send your well wishes.
• Names: Include the names of everyone in your party who will be attending. If you have been invited with a plus one, let the host know if you are bringing someone.
• Meal choices and dietary requirements: If you are asked to choose a meal in advance or specify any dietary requirements, be sure to include this information in your response.
• Personal message: Add a personal touch to your acceptance, such as a congratulatory note or well wishes for the future.
• Sign-off: The closure of your response should reflect the nature of your relationship with the host. "Sincerely" is a safe option. Finish with your name and signature.

Responding to a formal invitation

When responding to a formal wedding invitation, it is important to do so promptly. Check your schedule and consult with anyone else included in the invitation before responding. If you are unable to attend, it is courteous to let the couple know as soon as possible so they can invite someone else in your place if they wish.

If the invitation includes an RSVP card and a pre-stamped envelope, fill out the card and send it back as soon as possible. Be sure to include your full name and specify whether you are bringing a guest. If the invitation includes an RSVP but no response card, you can reply by post or email.

Formal acceptance

"Mr. and Mrs. [Your Last Name] are honoured to accept the gracious invitation of Mr. and Mrs. [Hosts' Names] to the wedding reception of their daughter [Groom's Name] on [Date]."

Formal acceptance with children

"Mr. and Mrs. [Your Name], [Children's Names] are honoured to accept the gracious invitation of Mr. and Mrs. [Hosts' Names] on [Date]."

Formal acceptance by one person and regret by another

"Mr. [Attendee's Name] is honoured to accept the gracious invitation of Mr. and Mrs. [Hosts' Names]. Ms. [Declined Attendee's Name] regrettably will be unable to attend."

Formal regret

"Mr. and Mrs. [Your First and Last Name] deeply regret having to decline the gracious invitation of Mr. and Mrs. [Hosts' Names] on [Date]."

Personal note to hosts you know well

"Dear [Hosts' Names], [Partner's Name] and I are delighted to accept your invitation to [Couple Getting Married's Names] wedding on [Date]. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]"

Informal note

"Dear [Hosts' Names], [Partner's Name] and I are so happy for you and cannot wait to be a part of the festivities on [Date]. Best wishes, [Your Name]"

Responding to an informal invitation

When responding to an informal wedding invitation, it's important to show a good measure of enthusiasm. You can be as familiar as you want in your response, as long as you're comfortable with the couple and the nature of the event. Here are some examples of how to respond to an informal wedding invitation:

"Hi guys! So excited for your special day! We'll definitely be there! Can't wait to see Claire walk down the aisle. See you soon for a celebratory drink. Big hug, [Your Names]."

"Dear [Couple's Names], congratulations on this exciting milestone! We always knew you two were meant to be. Can't wait to see you make it official. We will absolutely be there. Love, [Your Names]."

"Well, well, well! So happy to get this invitation this morning. What a beautiful invite from two beautiful people. Can't wait to celebrate this special milestone with you."

"Our two favourite people are getting hitched! And of course, we'll be there. So happy for you and can't wait to have a blast on [date]. Hugs from all of us."

"Yay! So excited you're getting hitched. Of course, I'll be there. My plus one will be [Name of Plus One]."

"I'll absolutely be there on your special day. Can't wait to see [Names] as flower girls!"

"Is this even a question? YES! I'll be there for your wedding on [date]. So happy for you!"

It's also important to respond to any wedding invitation as soon as possible, to let the couple know if you can celebrate with them. If you can't make it, they can invite someone else in your place.

Frequently asked questions