When sending your invitations, you’ll want to include a response card. RSVP abbreviates the French phrase répondez s’il vous plaît (literally “please respond”) and asks your guests to let you know if they will attend the wedding. Let’s dissect what is included on the RSVP card!

Traditional RSVP Cards

The most traditional and formal RSVP cards have only a headline that reads "The favor of your reply is requested before [date]." The rest of the card is left blank, and the guest would write their name, whether or not they will attend, and a note to the hosts. We very rarely see this type of response card these days!

Modern RSVP Cards

Today’s RSVP cards are a template style that allow the guests to enter their information to fill in the blanks. The cards typically include the following fields:

• There is a line for the guest’s name, usually shown with an “M” at the beginning for the guest to specify Mr., Mrs., etc.

• There are two lines to indicate attendance. Rather than basic “yes” or “no” wording, most couples chose something more festive like “accepts with pleasure” or “declines with regret.”

• If you are having a plated meal, it’s important to ask guests to initial next to a list of meal choices. This will allow you to give your caterer a count of each meal type in advance.

• Pro-tip: Number the back of your RSVP cards and write the corresponding number next to the guests’ names on your invite list. That way, if a card comes back illegible, you’ll know who it belongs to!

• Be sure to include the RSVP deadline date on the card, which should be 3-4 weeks before the wedding depending on when your caterer needs your final head count.

RSVP Card Alternatives

There are numerous reasons that you may want to look into alternative methods for your guests to RSVP. The most popular option is to use your wedding website to gather RSVPs.

• This option is more eco-friendly!

• There is less of a chance of the response card getting lost or delayed in the mail.

• You can control the number of “yes” RSVPs easier! Some families are known for RSVPing for 6 people when only 2 were invited - most wedding websites allow you to specify the number of guests that are invited, and they will not be allowed to RSVP for more than that number!

The photos in this post are from our friends at Minted - if you are one of our clients and would like to receive a discount on your order, ask your planner for the code!