Lyla Dejesus
Wedding RSVP cards are an important part of the planning process, helping to implement the details of your big day. The information you include on your RSVP cards will ensure there are no surprises on your wedding day. So, what should you include? Firstly, a deadline date for responses is key, with most caterers and vendors wanting final numbers around 4 weeks before the wedding. Secondly, a line for guests to write their names is essential, often indicated with an M and a line, or the word Name. Guests may also be asked to mark their food preferences, especially if you're having a plated dinner with meal options, and it's considerate to include a line for guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions. If you're having additional events, such as a morning-after brunch, it's a good idea to include a headcount for these too. Finally, the RSVP card should include a section for guests to indicate whether they will be attending or not, with creative wording options to match your wedding style.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date for guests to respond by | 2-5 weeks before the wedding |
| Guest names | A blank line with an "M" or "Name" for guests to write their names |
| RSVP choices | "Yes" or "No", or creative variations like "Will attend with bells on" |
| Number of guests | A line that says "___ number attending" |
| Meal preferences | A section at the bottom for guests to select their entree choice and any dietary restrictions |
| Additional events | A section for guests to RSVP to any extra events, like a post-wedding brunch |
| Accommodation | A line for out-of-town guests to specify their accommodation |
| RSVP instructions | Instructions on how to RSVP, especially if it's online |
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What You'll Learn
Guest names and number of seats reserved
The guest names section is a crucial part of the RSVP card, as it allows you to know who will be attending your wedding and ensures that you can spell their names correctly on the seating chart. The traditional way to indicate this is with a long blank line that begins with "M", where guests can fill in their honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) and their name. Alternatively, you can simply write "Names" or "Name" before the blank line.
If you are concerned about unexpected plus ones or children, you can include a line that says "___ seats reserved in your honour" and fill in the appropriate number for each guest or couple. This will help prevent any surprises on your big day and manage guest expectations.
If you are inviting out-of-town guests, you may want to include a line that invites them to specify where they will be staying. This can be helpful for coordinating welcome gifts and transportation.
Additionally, if you are having a plated dinner with meal options, it is essential to include a section on the RSVP card for guests to select their entree choice. This is typically done with words or icons, and guests can initial their selection. Be sure to indicate that they should initial their choice to avoid confusion.
Finally, you may want to include a line for food allergies or dietary restrictions to accommodate all your guests. This is especially important if you are serving a sit-down dinner at your reception.
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RSVP deadline date
When it comes to setting an RSVP deadline date, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to give your guests enough time to respond, typically around 2-4 weeks before the wedding. This allows you to finalise details with your vendors and caterers, who usually request final guest counts around four weeks before the event. Setting the deadline at five weeks gives you some leeway to chase up any stragglers who haven't responded.
To encourage timely responses, you can include a line on the RSVP card indicating the deadline date. This can be done formally, leaving the card blank except for the deadline, or with creative wording that matches your wedding style. For instance, you could say "Kindly respond by [date]".
If you're concerned about unexpected RSVPs, you can include a line stating the number of seats reserved for each guest. This ensures that only invited guests respond and helps you manage your guest list effectively.
Additionally, if you're offering a plated dinner with meal options, it's helpful to include a section on the RSVP card for guests to select their entrée preferences. This ensures that you know which guest has chosen which meal, especially if you have guests with dietary restrictions or allergies.
Finally, if you're planning additional events, such as a morning-after brunch or welcome dinner, don't forget to include these on the RSVP card as well. This allows you to get an accurate headcount for each event and plan accordingly.
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Food preferences, including allergies
Asking about food allergies and dietary preferences on your RSVP cards is a great way to show your guests that you care about their well-being and comfort. It is a simple way to avoid last-minute stress and ensure your caterers are well-prepared. Here are some tips to consider when including this information on your wedding RSVP:
Format and Placement:
For traditional RSVP cards, the best spot for dietary and allergy information is just beneath the meal selection or the guest's name. This keeps everything neat and in one place. You can simply add a line that says, "Please let us know of any allergies or dietary restrictions," with a blank space for guests to fill in their requirements. Alternatively, you can use a checkbox format with common dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and a "specify" option for other allergies or preferences.
For digital RSVPs, include a required text field labelled "Food allergies or dietary needs." This gives guests a quick way to provide essential details.
Communicating with Caterers:
Once you start receiving the RSVP responses, organise the information to efficiently communicate it to your caterers. Creating a simple spreadsheet or shared document to track dietary restrictions alongside guest names can be very helpful. Be clear about what is an allergy, where cross-contamination is a concern, versus a preference or sensitivity. If a guest has a severe allergy, consider discussing kitchen protocols, ingredient swaps, or separate plates with your caterer.
Additional Considerations:
Remember that dietary requirements may extend beyond food to drinks as well. Ask your venue or caterer about providing alternatives, such as gluten-free beer or egg-free cocktails. It is also a good idea to provide non-alcoholic options and soft drinks for guests who may have preferences or restrictions with alcohol.
If you are having a buffet or food stations, clear signage indicating common allergens like "contains dairy" or "gluten-free" can be incredibly helpful for your guests. This way, they can confidently choose their meals without constantly seeking assistance.
Sample Wording:
- "Please note any food allergies or dietary restrictions below:"
- "Do you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements? □ Yes (please specify):"
- "I have a dietary restriction or food allergy (please specify):"
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Additional events, e.g. post-wedding brunch
When it comes to additional events, such as a post-wedding brunch, there are a few things to consider including on your RSVP card. Firstly, decide whether you want to include all the events on one card or have separate RSVP cards for each event. If you opt for the former, ensure there are separate lines for guests to respond yes or no to each event. This allows guests to attend one event and not the other.
Secondly, it is essential to include a deadline for sending back the RSVP card. Typically, this is around two to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalise details with your vendors and coordinate last-minute arrangements.
Thirdly, if you are offering meal options at the additional event, include a section for guests to select their preferences. This can be done with words or icons, and be sure to indicate that they should initial their choice to avoid confusion. You may also want to add a line for guests to list any allergies or dietary restrictions, especially if you are not offering specific meal options.
Additionally, you can include a special request line on the RSVP card for the extra event. This could be for song requests, drink preferences, or even a favourite memory of the couple. This adds a fun element to the RSVP process and helps you gather valuable information for the event.
Finally, consider including an RSVP envelope with a first-class postage stamp for guests to send back their responses. This ensures a timely response and makes it convenient for your guests.
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RSVP instructions and envelope
The RSVP card is an essential part of your wedding invitation suite. It is a way to kindly ask your guests to reply to your invite so you know if they will be attending. Here are some key instructions and considerations for your RSVP envelope and card:
Envelope
The RSVP envelope should be included with all invitation suites, and a first-class postage stamp should be affixed to each one. This makes it easy for your guests to respond by mail. Even if you are asking your guests to RSVP online, you'll need to include RSVP instructions on your wedding invitations.
Response deadline
Be sure to include a deadline for responses, typically around 2-4 weeks before your wedding is appropriate. This gives you enough time to follow up with any guests who haven't responded and finalise details with your vendors.
Names
Include a blank line for guests to write their names, with a printed "M" at the start of the line or "Name(s)". This guarantees that you know who is attending and how to spell their names correctly for the seating chart.
Attendance
Guests should have a way to indicate whether they will be attending or not. You can use traditional wording such as "Happily Accepts" and "Regretfully Declines" or get creative with phrases like "will attend with bells on" or "wouldn't miss it!".
Food preferences
If you're serving a plated dinner with meal options, include a section for guests to select their entree choice and initial next to it. This ensures that you know which guest has chosen each option. You may also want to add a line for food allergies or dietary restrictions to accommodate all your guests.
Additional events
If you're hosting additional events, such as a morning-after brunch or a welcome dinner, include a section for guests to RSVP to these separately. This will help you with planning and budgeting.
Your RSVP card is a great opportunity to showcase your personality and wedding style while gathering the information you need to plan your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
An RSVP card, short for "Répondez, s'il vous plaît", is used to ask your wedding guests to reply to your invite so you know if they will be attending your wedding.
Aside from creative response choices, an RSVP card should include a blank line for guests to write their names, a section for them to select whether they will be attending or not, and the RSVP deadline date. If you are having a plated dinner with meal options, include a space for your guests to select their preferred option. You may also want to include a line for guests to specify where they will be staying, especially if you have room blocks at hotels in the area.
The traditional way of doing this is an iteration of "Happily Accepts" and "Regretfully Declines", but you can be as creative as you like. Some fun ways to word these are "will attend with bells on", "will attend but is afraid of bells", or "wouldn't miss it!".
The RSVP deadline is typically around 2-4 weeks before the wedding, as this is when caterers and vendors want your final guest count.
