The Etiquette and Wedding RSVPS Wording to Know

Most wedding invitations include return CARDS with addressed postage prepaid return envelopes for easy response.A typical response card will provide guests with a place to fill in their names and check their attendance.Some CARDS have a place to fill in the number of guests present.It is impolite to fill the space with more guests than are invited.

The only guests invited were those who had received the invitation.If the invitation is for individuals “and guests,” bring a date and put the person’s name on the response card.Asking for a date and including your name on a response card are not acceptable if the word “and guest” does not appear.The same rule applies to couples with children: if the children are not in the address, they will not be invited.It is not acceptable to call the new person and ask for an unexpected guest.

When you received a wedding invitation, you would RSVP on your own stationery, offering congratulations and whether or not you would be able to attend.But do you know what should a response card say, what is the etiquette of response cards, and are there other ways for guests to RSVP?

Response Card Wording

by January 31, 2008.
M__________________________
____Accepts with pleasure
____Declines with regrets

or

M_____________________________

Will ______ Attend

The line is meant for your guest to fill in Ms, Mr. or Mrs., and write their name(s). In the first option, they simply check off whether or not they can come. In the second option, your guest will RSVP in the affirmative by only writing their name and leaving the space in between “will” and “attend” blank. If they must decline, they will write “not.”

Formal Response Card Wordings

Some still prefer to not include response cards; Miss Manners even calls them horrid. A compromise for a formal wedding is to use a simple small card that says “The favor of a reply is requested by June 16, 2006.” or “We look forward to hearing from you.” Most people will either write a note on their personal stationery, or use the card itself to send back a note. A few will call or email you, and that will be okay in the end.

More Casual and Fun Response Card Wordings

We look forward to
celebrating with you.
Please reply by January 31, 2008
M___________________________
____ accepts _____ regrets

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

___________________________

____is/are looking forward to dining, dancing, and celebrating
____has/have to miss the fun

Kindly reply before January 31, 2008

Name(s)

_________________

___Can’t wait!
___Can’t come!