It goes without saying that weddings are costly. A wedding now costs over $30,000 on average, so it’s only natural that couples seek methods to save money without compromising on the event’s quality. A popular cost-cutting measure is sending out RSVPs electronically.
Rightfully so, the RSVP is one of the most important items on your to-do list when it comes to wedding etiquette. After all, you don’t want to be that guest who either forgets or decides not to show up on the host’s wedding day. So, how do you go about filling out and sending your RSVP?
Quick Answer
To fill out your wedding RSVP, you will need to include the name of the bride and groom, the date of the wedding, your name, your spouse’s name (if applicable), your parent’s names, and your guests’ names. You can also include a response (Yes or No) to indicate whether or not you will be able to attend.
What Is an RSVP, and Why Do You Need One for a Wedding?
RSVP is an abbreviation for the French phrase “répondez s’il vous plaît,” which means “please reply.” RSVP cards are used to formally request a response from guests as to whether they will be able to attend your wedding.
They also allow you to collect important information, like a guest list, dietary restrictions and allergies, food choices, and meal selection.
The more knowledge you have, the better you will be at organizing your wedding. That’s why it’s important to send out wedding RSVPs as soon as possible. This will give you a good idea of how many guests will attend your big day and help with planning.
There are a few reasons why you need to send out wedding RSVPs:
Get an Accurate Headcount
This is probably the most important reason for sending out RSVPs. The more accurate your headcount, the better prepared you’ll be for your wedding. This will help you understand your seating chart and know how many seats to reserve, how much food to order, etc.
Collect Information About Your Guests
In addition to getting an accurate headcount, you’ll also want to collect information about your guests’ dietary restrictions, allergies and, song requests. This way, you can make sure that everyone will have a meal they can enjoy at your wedding.
Avoid Last-Minute Surprises
If you don’t receive any responses from your guests, you risk having many last-minute surprises on your hands. People may unexpectedly show up at your wedding or decide not to come at the last minute. By sending out RSVPs, you can avoid all of this drama and stress.
What Information to Include on the RSVP Card if You’re the Host
The details you include on your wedding RSVP card are crucial. Here’s a look at what you should include on your RSVP card:-
- Your name and the name of your spouse or partner
- The reception information, including the time, date, and location
- If you’re requesting that guests R.S.V.P. by a certain date, be sure to include that date on the card.
How to Fill Out a Wedding RSVP Card
Wedding Tips & Advice : How to Reply to an RSVP for a Wedding Invitation
The first step is to answer the question. Look at the bottom of the card and find the number of people who will be attending. This is usually a range, such as “Adults: 1-4.” Circle or write in the corresponding number. Next, you will need to provide your name and your guests’ names. Write each person’s name on a separate line. Make sure to include yourself and your spouse.
If you have any children who are attending, write their names down as well. If you plan to bring a guest, write “Guest” next to their name and include their name as well. If you are declining the invitation, write ” regrets only” next to your name. Finally, mail or deliver the RSVP card back to the hosts as soon as possible.
The step-by-step process for filling out each form is listed below.
Traditional RSVPs
There are many ways to fill out a traditional RSVP, but here are a few tips to get you started:
- Make sure you include your name, your partner’s name, and your address
- If you’re declining the invitation, be sure to include the reason why you’re not attending
- Remember to let your hosts know how many people will be coming if you decide to accept their invitation.
- If you have any dietary restrictions, let the hosts know so they can accommodate you
- Be sure to include a response card and envelope so the hosts can easily get your response back.
Online RSVPs
- For the Name field, provide your name and your fiancé’s name
- In the Phone Number field, provide your number
- In the Date field, provide the date of the wedding
- In the Time field, provide the time of the wedding
- Check the “Attending” box if you are attending the wedding
- Check the “Not Attending” box if you are not attending the wedding
- If you are attending but will not be able to make it until after 6pm, check the “Regrets Only” box and put your estimated time of arrival in the “Notes” field.
Email RSVPs
- In the “To” field, type in the name or email of the person organizing the wedding
- In the “Subject” field, type in “RSVP for (wedding name)”
- In the body of the email, write your name and indicate whether you are attending or not. If you are bringing a plus one, write their name as well
- If you are declining, be sure to let the host know as soon as possible
- If you have any dietary restrictions, let the host know in advance
- Click send.
That’s it! Once you’ve filled out your RSVP card, please send it back to the bride and groom.
Proper Etiquette for Filling a Wedding RSVP
When filling out a wedding RSVP, there are a few things you should keep in mind and include in a wedding response card:
- Respond as soon as possible. The sooner you can let your hosts know how many guests will be attending, the better
- Be sure to include all of the necessary information, such as names, meal choices, and dietary restrictions and make sure to double check them
- If you are unsure about whether or not you can attend, it is best to RSVP no and then update your status later if needed
- If you have to decline, be sure to do so as soon as possible and properly fill out your “declines with regret” section. This will allow the wedding hosts time to plan for a smaller gathering
- Always spell everything correctly and use proper grammar. This is especially important when addressing the envelope
- If you have any questions about the RSVP process, be sure to ask your hosts. They’ll be more than happy to help.
Now that you know how to fill out and send your wedding RSVPs, it’s time to get started. Follow these tips, and you’ll surely have a beautiful, stress-free wedding occasion.
FAQs
What Is Proper RSVP for a Formal Wedding Invite?
For a formal wedding, the envelope should be addressed to either Mr. and Mrs. John Doe or just to Mr. and Mrs. Doe. The RSVP card should be filled out and mailed back as soon as possible, either way, no later than three weeks before the wedding date. If there are any dietary restrictions or allergies, this should be noted on the RSVP card as well.
How Do You Properly Write an RSVP?
The best way to properly write an RSVP is by using the following format: name, number of people attending, meal choice or food preferences(if applicable), additional information (dietary restrictions, etc.), and RSVP date.
Do You Write Guest Names on Wedding Invitations?
Yes, It is generally proper to write out the guest’s name on the wedding invitation. If you know that the guest is bringing a plus one uninvited guest, you can also include their name on the invitation suite. For example, it would be addressed as Mr. John Smith and Guest, Mr. and Mrs. John Grotts, or any other social title.
When Should Wedding RSVPs Be Due?
Wedding RSVPs are generally due about three weeks before the wedding date. This allows the couple enough time to plan for the final guest count and make any necessary adjustments.
What Percentage of Wedding Guests Actually Attend?
The average percentage of guests that actually attend a wedding is about 75%. This number can fluctuate depending on the time of year, location, and other factors.
What does “M” Means on RSVP?
“M” on RSVP stands for “Mailing Address.” When you receive an RSVP card in the mail, it will have an “M” next to the line that asks for your mailing address. This is where you would write your full mailing address, including your street address, city, state, and ZIP code.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to filling out wedding RSVPs, preparation is key. If you take the time to fill out your response cards correctly, you won’t miss any important information or forget the couple’s special instructions.
Additionally, make sure to double-check all of your information before submitting it so that no mistakes are made along the way. With these tips in mind, you should have a much easier time completing this task with confidence and ease.
If you have any problems or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the happy couple for help. They’ll be more than happy to assist you (and may even need some assistance themselves!). Congratulations on taking one more step toward making someone’s big day unforgettable.
