The Knot RSVP: How to Use the Free Online Wedding RSVP Tool

It's easy to see why couples and guests alike love using The Knot RSVP functionality. It's easy for couples to set up a The Knot RSVP on their wedding website (and the Guest List tool automatically updates every time a reply is submitted, so you can view replies in real time), and super simple for guests to mark their attendance by laptop or by phone. Not to mention: You can scoop up RSVP cards from The Knot Invitations for less digitally inclined guests to get the best of both worlds. Find out everything you need to know below.

How to use The Knot RSVP as a: Couple | Guest

Plus: Answers to Your Online Wedding RSVP Questions | The Knot RSVP FAQ

How to Use The Knot RSVPs as a Couple

Requesting RSVPs online gives your loved ones a nudge to view your wedding website (if they haven't already). And if you create your wedding RSVP website on The Knot, you'll get a handy notification straight to your inbox whenever someone submits their reply—or receive push notifications instead by downloading our all-in-one wedding planning app. Learn more below.

How to Set Up Digital RSVPs

You might have to follow up with a few loved ones who don't respond on time, which tends to be unavoidable, even with paper RSVPs. All in all, collecting RSVPs online will help streamline the process when keeping track of your wedding guest list. Here's how to set RSVPs up on The Knot:

1. Select an event you'd like to collect RSVPs for (the wedding itself, a rehearsal dinner, etc.).
2. Select questions to ask invitees from a pre-set list and add custom questions for guests to answer with their RSVP. The Knot lets couples fully customize their RSVP experience, including choosing between multiple-choice or short-form questions for guests to answer.
3. Set up your privacy setting preferences for your event. If only guests on your designated list can access it, or if you'd like it to be public.
4. Sit back and watch the responses come via your automatically updating tracker.

How to Add Meal Options to The Knot RSVPs

When setting up your digital RSVPs on The Knot, you're able to ask questions beyond just whether or not loved ones will be attending the wedding. One especially common question to ask guests is what their meal selection is, if you're doing a seated dinner with pre-selected entrées. Here's a quick step-by-step rundown of using the meal option tool in The Knot RSVP tool:

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

The Knot online RSVP tool makes requesting meal selections super easy and straightforward. To use online RSVPs to track meal choices, use the "custom questions" option.

1. To access this feature, go to your Guest List and select "Manage Online RSVP" or simply click here to straight there.
2. From there, you can select "+ Add a Follow-up" to your Wedding Day RSVP or ask General Questions (which are asked once per group regardless of a "Yes" or "No" RSVP response).
3. Any guests who indicate in their RSVP that they are attending will have the opportunity to submit a response. Multiple-choice questions (such as meal options) require a response, short answer questions can be skipped.

How to Use The Knot RSVPs as a Guest

Did you receive a wedding invitation in the mail asking you to reply on the couple's wedding website on The Knot? You've come to the right place. Here's everything you need to know about submitting your digital RSVP.

How Guests RSVP on a The Knot Wedding Website

Not a visual learner? Here's a thorough step-by-step rundown of how to RSVP on a wedding website on The Knot.

1. Locate the couple's website:

• Use the "Find a couple's website" tool
• Use the QR on the couple's invite, if they included one

2. Click the RSVP tab to RSVP.
3. Search for your full name in the search box to find your invitation.
4. Check for a plus-one: If the couple has extended a plus-one, you'll see a second name appear when the invitation results populate.

• If the couple already knows your plus-one's name then they may have entered it.
• If they don't know their name, add it where you see [Your Name's Guest].
• (Note: You will only be able to RSVP for the number of guests that are part of your invitation. If you don't see a spot to update a guest's name that means the couple has respectfully requested that you not bring along a plus-one or any kids).

5. On the next page, submit your RSVP response and accept or decline the invitation.
6. You will be given the option to leave a note for the couple, which you can skip by pressing "skip."
7. Answer additional questions set by the couple, like those on dietary restrictions or song requests.
8. Select if you want to receive an RSVP notification. If you do NOT want to receive an RSVP notification, uncheck the automatically checked box and press "send RSVP."
9. Your RSVP is complete, now:

• Your accepted or declined reservation and note will be sent to the couple
• The couple will receive an email notification denoting that you RSVPed
• Their guest list will be updated with your responses

How to Edit an RSVP on The Knot

One of the benefits of The Knot online RSVP functionality is the ability for guests to change their RSVPs. As long as the RSVP is open, a guest can come back to the RSVP and update their RSVP response by going through the same steps listed above.

While we don't recommend constantly switching your RSVP, if your plans do happen to change, you can go back to the couple's wedding website and edit your response (as long as it's before the RSVP deadline, that is).

Frequently Asked Online Wedding RSVP Questions

Let's take a pause to answer your other burning digital-RSVP-related questions. We've outlined a few common ones here.

Can you ask for wedding RSVPs online?

Yes! it's okay to go paperless for some of your other stationery—RSVP cards included. Although traditional etiquette dictates that guests should receive a physical response card, many couples are ditching this rule in favor of digital RSVPs. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, 8% of respondents had digital-only RSVPs and 19% offered both print and digital RSVP options. Allowing loved ones to submit their responses online isn't just super convenient (and cost effective) for you, it's likely a lot easier and faster for most of your guests, too. Again, just keep in mind that older loved ones may not feel comfortable using your wedding website to RSVP. In this case, offering both digital and paper options is a great middle ground.

What's the best RSVP website for a wedding?

The Knot stands out from the crowd when it comes to wedding website builders for their ease of use (consider these wedding website examples proof), so it's no surprise it's a great option for digital RSVPs too.

Here are some benefits of setting up wedding RSVPs on The Knot:

• You can match your The Knot wedding website RSVP page to your wedding invitation design for free.
• Wedding website RSVPs on The Knot can be private (only guests on your Guest List can RSVP) or public (anyone with the link to your Wedding Website can RSVP).
• You can change Guest List visibility to allow anybody who RSVPs "Yes" to see who's attending each event.
• Guests can ask questions on the online RSVP form on The Knot, eliminating the need for extra correspondence.
• You can create a custom QR code on The Knot Invitations that'll direct loved ones to your site for seamless RSVPing.
• Couples can make RSVPs public or private on a The Knot wedding website. If it's public, anyone with the link to your website can RSVP for events. Once they respond, their names are added to the guest list, saving you and your S.O. from having to type out everyone's names beforehand. If it's private, guests with the link to your wedding website will be prompted to enter their names to RSVP. Only those who have already been added to the guest list by you or your S.O. will be able to respond. Either way, the website will keep track of who has accepted or declined the invite.

How do I request online RSVPs on my wedding invitations?

Wondering how to tell guests to RSVP online? This convenient infographic outlines all the details you need to know.

Design: Falak Khoja

Now that you know the steps to take, you need to figure out the wording for requesting RSVPs through your wedding website.

Check out these wedding website RSVP wording examples:

• Kindly respond by May 15th at www.theknot.com/ourweddingwebsite
• RSVP online at www.theknot.com/ourweddingwebsite by May 15th
• Please visit www.theknot.com/ourweddingwebsite to respond by May 15th
• Please RSVP by May 15th. Scan the QR code to join the party! [insert QR code]

Once you've got the wording down for your wedding website RSVPs, you need to figure out where to put that information. If you're sending digital wedding invitations then you can simply hyperlink to the online RSVP.

Alternatively, if you're sending paper invitations, consider adding a wedding QR code so guests can simply scan from their phone to submit a reply. If you are hesitant to use a QR code, make sure to include the full URL of your wedding website. RSVP details typically go at the bottom of your invitations, but if your wedding invites are on the formal side, it might look a little out of place. If that's the case, use a separate enclosure or response card to point guests in the right direction.

Should I still send paper RSVP cards with digital RSVPs?

You can give guests the option to choose from physical or digital RSVPs if you want. You can include mailable RSVP cards as well as details for your wedding website so guests can reply via the method they're most comfortable with. If you're certain that all of your guests will be comfortable using an online wedding RSVP site, by all means forgo the paper. Another idea is to include a phone number as an alternative option. That way, your less tech-savvy loved ones can call or text to submit their reply. Since you and your partner will be very busy in the leadup to your wedding day, we suggest appointing a member of the wedding party to handle phone RSVPs.

The Knot Online RSVPs Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about RSVPing on The Knot wedding websites? We've got all the wedding online RSVP answers you'll need.

Does The Knot send out RSVP reminders?

While The Knot doesn't send out automatic RSVP reminders, one way to communicate with guests is to utilize the Guest Messages tool to send reminders to your guests manually. We recommend sending out a message a few days before the RSVP deadline to catch any stragglers.

How do I set an RSVP deadline on The Knot?

We recommend giving guests an RSVP deadline for two to four weeks before your wedding day, to give yourself and your vendors plenty of time to coordinate those last-minute details. After your RSVP deadline has passed, you can toggle off the RSVP for the event, or hide the RSVP page all together. Your guests will no longer be able to RSVP digitally and will have to reach out to you directly to share their response.

How do I see who RSVPed on The Knot?

One of the best parts of using The Knot online RSVP tool is how seamlessly it works with the (free!) Guest List Manager, an easy way to stay organized and keep track of all of your guests. When a guest completes their RSVP, you'll receive an email notification, and your online guest list is automatically updated with their responses so there's no room for errors or confusion.

Is The Knot a free RSVP site?

Yes—The Knot is a free RSVP site! While there are some upgrades (like a custom domain) that couples can pay for if they want, the site is free to use for both couples and guests alike.

Additional reporting by Cathryn Haight.