How To Send Wedding Invitations With RSVP

RSVPs are critical pieces of an invitation suite, providing the couple with a simple way to gather information necessary for finalizing the guest list and communicating with vendors.

Traditionally, RSVPs have a set deadline and come with preprinted response cards for the guests’ convenience.

If you find using so much paper for your invitations wasteful, consider traditional RSVP alternatives such as RSVP websites. They eliminate the need for designing, printing, and mailing RSVPs while serving the primary purpose.

Information To Request on The RSVP

Every RSVP starts with a request to indicate whether the guest plans to attend the wedding, followed by a blank line for the guests’ names. According to RSVP etiquette, the line should only contain the names of guests planning to attend.

So, if a couple invites a family of four but only two family members can attend, they should only list two names instead of four.

What information to request on wedding RSVP largely depends on your reception plans. For example, if you’re hosting a plated reception, you may request your guests to indicate their preferred entrees.

Requesting to disclose food allergies and dietary restrictions is considered a good tone for any reception type. Even if you’re hosting a buffet reception, ensure that you offer entrees for every guest.

Formal RSVPs usually don’t request more information, but some couples also include a blank line for special requests. The guests may then share something fun like their song requests or marital advice.

Some couples also use the RSVP cards to convey important information that didn’t fit on the invites. For example, you may mention the reception dress code or age restrictions.

How To Word RSVP

Like wedding invitations, RSVPs typically are formal and have specific wording etiquette.

Although some couples prefer casual wording, politeness, clarity, and conciseness are essential for every RSVP request. As a rule of thumb, your RSVP tone should align with the invitation tone.

Every RSVP should have a deadline to help you finalize planning. A formal RSVP deadline wording usually contains the traditional “Répondez S’il Vous Plaît (RSVP)” line followed by request to respond until a set date.

For example, the response request may be worded as “The favor of a reply is requested by September 15.”

Alternatively, you can choose more friendly and informal wording, something like “We kindly ask you to reply until September 15.”

Depending on your personality and wedding style, you may go for a unique wording with a hint of humor, for instance, “When we say, “I do,” will we be seeing you? Please reply before August 31.”

The RSVP response card always contains a line for guests who accept your invitation and a separate line for those who can’t attend the wedding.

In formal RSVPs, the responses are typically worded as “accepts with pleasure” and “declines with regret” or similar.

In contrast, informal RSVPs may have more personal, unique wording. For example, you may replace “declines with regret” with “will be there in spirit” or “will toast from afar.”

A line for the guests’ names traditionally starts with “M.” for the guests to fill in their titles and full names. However, you may leave the line blank for casual RSVPs.

RSVP Timeline

The RSVP is typically sent along with the formal wedding invitation two to four months before the big day. This frame gives the wedding guests enough time to clear their schedules and send their responses.

However, the RSVP timeline may shift if you have a destination wedding or your guests live out of town. In these cases, send your RSVPs at least ten weeks ahead of the event to ensure your guests can plan accordingly.

The wedding RSVP deadline is usually set to two to eight weeks before the event, leaving the couple enough time to get in touch with everyone who hasn’t responded to the request and provide the caterers with a finalized guest list.

Consult with your caterers before setting the RSVP deadline. Some caterers may get everything ready in under two weeks, while others may need to know the guest count at least two months in advance.

The RSVP deadline also depends on when you send the invites. The golden rule is to allow at least four weeks between the date of guests’ receiving the invitations and the response deadline.

Remember that your guests may be busy and not be able to respond right away. Furthermore, they may already have plans for your wedding date, and clearing the calendar takes time.

How To Design RSVP

Since the RSVPs are traditionally sent along with the formal invites, they should have a matching design. Your RSVP cards should fit your wedding theme and be readable.

When creating your RSVPs, consider your wedding colors, flowers, and other district design elements. For example, black invites with silver snowflakes are perfect for a winter wonderland-themed affair.

Couples who hire a professional to design custom wedding stationery don’t have to worry about the RSVP look. A pro will ensure that all wedding stationery pieces go well together and comply with graphic design best practices.

However, many couples nowadays choose to design the stationery themselves. It may be risky, but not impossible, thanks to the wide range of beautiful wedding stationery templates.

Templates are foolproof – all you need is to find a wedding invitation suite you like, download the file, edit the information, and print the cards. Ensure that the set contains RSVP cards and other optional add-ons you need.

Your chosen font must be readable. Only use highly graphic display fonts for headings and not for the main text body. Safely mix and match fonts from the same family but with different features.

Use the same paper for your RSVP response cards and the invitation cards. As a rule of thumb, pick thick card paper rather than thin, cheap office printing paper. You may consider options with an unusual texture for a luxurious feel.

The printing technique also matters. Flat printing is the most common and cheapest option, but you can also consider foil stamping, thermography, white ink printing, and pressing.

RSVP Etiquette

The wedding RSVP etiquette merely refers to the guests, but couples also must follow specific rules to avoid appearing impolite or straight-up rude.

Remember to ask your guests about their food allergies – a failure to do so may be seen as inconsiderate.

If your wedding is for adults only and you want to mention it on the RSVP, word the request politely, something along the lines of “Although we love your little ones, we kindly note that the reception is for adults only.”

However, mentioning the age restriction isn’t mandatory. Your inner invitation envelope should only list the names of invited guests, so a lack of kids’ names implies that you only invite the parents.

The same applies to plus ones. If you welcome your guests’ partners but don’t know their names, add “and Guest” on the inner envelope. If you don’t want to invite them, simply don’t list them rather than state that they aren’t welcome on the RSVP.

Don’t set the RSVP deadline too close to the date of your guests’ receiving the invites. Give them enough time to respond. Contacting guests who fail to respond until the deadline over the phone or email is acceptable.

Lastly, the RSVP etiquette states that the couple must pay for RSVP postage. Firstly, it saves the guests time and money. Secondly, it ensures that the return address is written correctly and the couple receives the RSVPs without problems.

RSVP Envelope & Postage

Insert each RSVP into a separate envelope and place it under the wedding invitation cards when stuffing the main envelope. Stamp the RSVP envelope according to its weight and format. Typically, a single USPS forever stamp is sufficient.

However, you may need extra postage if your RSVP response cards are extra-thick or oddly shaped. Write your and your partner’s full names and address in the house number/street name/city/state/ZIP code format in the envelope’s center.

You may write your guest address in the upper left corner to ensure the RSVP doesn’t get lost in the event that the mail person can’t find your home.

Digital RSVP

Many couples nowadays embrace technological development by taking advantage of digital RSVPs. Instead of printing and sending actual RSVP response cards, you may provide your guests with a link to your wedding RSVP website.

Such websites facilitate better RSVP tracking, allowing the couple to check who has viewed the invitations and who failed to respond. They can send guests reminders by email.

Furthermore, digital wedding RSVPs are cheaper and have a lower carbon footprint. It’s an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to gather the necessary information.

Lastly, digital RSVPs cut response times and ensure the cards won’t get lost in transit.