Crafting The Perfect Response: Filling Out Blank Wedding Rsvps

If you've received a blank RSVP card, you'll need to write a personal response, usually a couple of brief sentences confirming your name(s), attendance/non-attendance, and any other details requested by the couple. The tone of your response should match the tone of the invitation and your relationship with the couple.

Here's an example of a formal response:

> Mr Harry Smith and Mrs Sally Smith accept with pleasure (or: regret they are unable to accept) your kind invitation for Saturday, 21st September.

And here's an informal response:

> Thank you for your invitation, we will both be happily attending! Looking forward to it. Love, Sally and Harry Smith.

Names of guests

The first thing to include on your RSVP cards is a blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal RSVP card, you may want to write an "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name. This guarantees that you know who is attending your wedding and that you can correctly spell everyone's names on the seating chart.

If there is an "M" on the RSVP card, guests should fill out the line for their names with their proper title(s). For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". If the envelope is addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Maggie and Drew", then the response would include: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Maggie and Drew".

If the RSVP card is blank, guests will need to write their own personal response. This should be a couple of brief sentences to confirm their names, attendance/non-attendance, and any other details requested in the RSVP instructions.

> "Mr. Harry Smith and Mrs. Sally Smith accept with pleasure (or: regret they are unable to accept) your kind invitation for Saturday, 21st September."

> "Thank you for your invitation, we will both be happily attending! Looking forward to it. Love, Sally and Harry Smith."

RSVP deadline

The RSVP deadline is an important part of the wedding planning process. It helps the couple finalise their guest list and make other necessary arrangements, such as ordering place cards and confirming numbers with caterers and venues.

It's best to set the RSVP deadline for around four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to chase up any missing responses and finalise the details with your vendors. It's also enough time for your guests to make their plans and arrange any necessary travel.

If you're sending out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, this gives your guests a good amount of time to respond without being too early. Sending invitations too far in advance may cause guests to forget to RSVP, so it's a good idea to send a reminder a week or so before the deadline.

If you haven't heard from some guests by the RSVP date, give them a call or send a friendly text after a week has passed. It's a good idea to get an idea of your final guest count as soon as possible, as you'll get busier with other tasks as the wedding day approaches.

Accept or decline

The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to find out who is coming to your wedding. So, the most important element of your wedding RSVP wording is to get your final headcount. Ask your guests whether or not they can come to your wedding. You may also want to ask about any secondary events, such as a rehearsal dinner or brunch.

The wording you use for your RSVP card will depend on the tone of your wedding. If you are having a formal wedding, you might want to use wording such as "Accepts with pleasure" and "Declines with regret". For an informal wedding, you could use wording such as "Thank you for your invitation, we will both be happily attending!" or "Sadly we are both unable to attend".

• Will attend/Unable to attend
• Delighted to attend/Regretfully cannot join you
• Joyfully accepts/Regretfully declines
• Can't wait!/Can't come
• We will see you there!/Sorry to miss out
• Let the good times roll!/You're going to have to carry on without me

Additional Notes

It's important to set a deadline for your RSVPs, so that you can finalise your numbers. It's also a good idea to ask for the names of your guests, so that you can ensure you have the correct spelling for your place cards or seating chart.

Meal preferences

When it comes to meal preferences, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, it is important to give your guests a variety of options to accommodate different tastes and dietary restrictions. Here are some popular options:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Fish
• Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Gluten-free

You can also ask your guests to write down any specific dietary restrictions or allergies they may have. This ensures that you can accommodate their needs and plan your menu accordingly.

When including meal preference options on your RSVP, it is best to keep it concise and simple. You can add a phrase such as "Please indicate any dietary restrictions or meal preferences" and then provide a list of options for your guests to choose from.

Another option is to provide a description of each meal option. This can be especially helpful if you have guests with specific dietary needs. For example, you can describe the ingredients and cooking methods used for each dish.

If you are having a plated dinner, it is a good idea to ask your guests to select their preferred meal option. This way, you can inform your caterer in advance and ensure that everyone receives a meal they enjoy.

Additionally, consider including a question about children's meal options. If children are attending your wedding, their meal choices are just as important as the adults'. You can include this on your RSVP form to ensure that everyone's needs are accommodated.

Collecting your guests' meal preferences in advance is not only appreciated by your caterer but also helps with your wedding planning. It gives you an idea of the number of guests attending and their preferences, allowing you to plan a memorable dining experience for everyone.

Additional requests

The additional requests section is a great way to get to know your guests a little better and to gather information that will be useful for planning the wedding. Here are some ideas for what to include in this section:

• Song requests: Ask your guests to request their favourite songs to ensure that the dance floor stays packed all night long.
• Drink preferences: Ask your guests about their drink of choice to help you decide how to stock the bar.
• Arrival time: Ask your guests when they plan to arrive or where they will be staying. This can be helpful for planning transportation or recommending accommodation options.
• Advice for the newlyweds: Ask your guests to share their best piece of marriage advice or a favourite memory of the couple. This can be a fun way to collect wisdom and well-wishes.
• Special dietary requirements: If you are offering a choice of entrées, be sure to ask about any allergies or dietary restrictions. This will help you plan the menu and ensure that all your guests' needs are accommodated.
• Other fun questions: Feel free to get creative and ask about your guests' favourite memories of the couple, their predictions for the future, or even their guilty pleasure dance floor moves.

Remember, the additional requests section is optional, but it can be a great way to make your RSVP cards more engaging and informative.

Frequently asked questions