RSVP card wording examples

Formal RSVP card

The favour of a reply is requested
by the fifteenth of May
M__________________________
____ accepts with pleasure
____ declines with regret

The "M" at the start of the name line is traditional. The guest completes it as "Mr.", "Mrs.", or "Ms." before writing their name. Many guests find it confusing, so you can leave it off and print a plain line instead.

Modern RSVP card

Kindly reply by May 15
Name(s) _______________________
____ Joyfully accepts
____ Regretfully declines

"Joyfully accepts" and "Regretfully declines" are the most common modern pair. "Wouldn't miss it" and "Will celebrate from afar" work well for a relaxed wedding.

Telling guests how many seats they have

The most common RSVP problem is guests adding people you didn't invite. A pre-filled seat count solves it politely:

Kindly reply by May 15
Name(s) _______________________
We have reserved ____ seats in your honour
____ Joyfully accepts
____ Regretfully declines

Write the number in by hand for each guest before mailing. The inner envelope should also name exactly who is invited, for example "Mr. and Mrs. Carter" or "Anne, Michael, and Lily".

Asking about meals

If guests choose a meal in advance, give each choice a short line or a small symbol. Your caterer will need a count of each meal from the returned cards.

Kindly reply by May 15
Name(s) _______________________
____ Joyfully accepts
____ Regretfully declines
Please indicate the number of each entrée
____ Beef ____ Salmon ____ Vegetable risotto

Add "Dietary requirements: ________" only if your caterer can act on the answers.

Online RSVP card

If guests reply on your wedding website, the card only needs to send them there.

Kindly reply by May 15
at www.emmaanddaniel.com\ or scan the code below

Use a short, easy-to-type address, and test the QR code on the printed proof, not just on screen.

Choosing the reply-by date

Set it three to four weeks before the wedding. Most caterers want a final number about two weeks before the wedding, and that gives you a week to follow up with guests who haven't replied.

For a Saturday, June 12, 2027 wedding, that's a reply-by date between May 15 and May 22, 2027.

The reply envelope

• Address it to whoever is collecting the replies. Usually that's you or the hosting parents.
• Put a stamp on it. Guests shouldn't have to pay to reply. The return envelope needs its own postage.
• A postcard is cheaper. An RSVP postcard needs no envelope, and it mails at the lower postcard rate if it is between 3.5 × 5 and 4.25 × 6 inches. See the postage guide for current rates.

One small trick

Number your guest list, and write each guest's number in pencil on the back of their RSVP card before mailing. When a card comes back with an unreadable name, or no name at all, you'll still know who sent it.