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Updated Oct 14, 202416 Wedding RSVP Wording Options to Suit Any Stationery Style
Bookmark these phrases for your response cards and return envelopes.
If you invite someone to your wedding, you hope they'll say yes, but you won't know for certain without their RSVP. As such, a response card is a critical part of your wedding stationery suite. Your wedding RSVP wording will determine how and when loved ones confirm their attendance. This isn't just important for your own excitement, but for other practical reasons too. You and your vendors rely on your final guest count for many details, like how much food you'll need and how many napkins you'll need to rent. That's why we've outlined exactly what to write on a RSVP wedding card, regardless of whether you're having a traditional or unconventional affair. We even wrote some wedding RSVP card examples that you can copy and paste for your own stationery. Keep reading for our easy-to-follow templates, then check out The Knot Invitations to shop our very own RSVP cards. BTW, each one has a matching The Knot wedding website design.
In this article:
- What to Put on a Wedding RSVP Card
-
Wedding RSVP Wording Examples: Formal Wording | Limited Guest List Wording | Online RSVP Wording | Unique Wording | Funny Wording | Fun Wording | Creative Wording | Cute Wording
- Wedding RSVP Card Etiquette FAQ
What to Put on a Wedding RSVP Card
Nightmare scenario: Your great aunt calls the day before your wedding to let you know she'll be there, and is bringing your first cousin once removed, who's bringing their spouse, three kids and dog. Uh oh! Luckily, with the right RSVP card wording, there's a 99.99 percent chance this won't happen to you. (Hey, we always have to factor in that one relative.) Here's what to include in the wording for your wedding RSVP cards to ensure there are no surprises.
1. Guest Names
The first thing to include on your RSVP wedding cards is a blank line for guests to write their names. If you're using formal wedding RSVP verbiage, you should write "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name. Having guests write in their own names guarantees that you not only know who's attending your wedding, but also how to correctly spell everyone's name on the seating chart.
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Warning: There are times when people will add extra guests. This exact scenario is why your RSVP wording is so important. There are a few tactful ways to prevent this little "misunderstanding" from occurring. First and foremost, you should carefully and correctly address your wedding invitations to make things as clear as possible. (For example, if plus-ones are welcome, that should come through in the phrasing of the RSVP line on your wedding cards.) You can also use your wedding website to communicate something like an adults-only wedding. If you still feel stressed about potential misunderstandings, you can word your wedding RSVP text in a way that allows you to indicate the exact number of guests invited. For example, you might say "__ of __ attending" (with the second space prefilled with a number) instead of just "__ attending."
2. Accept or Decline
The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to learn who's coming to your wedding. So naturally, you'll need an attendance line for guests to accept or decline your invite. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling or fill-in-the-blank lines. Additionally, you can prompt guests to give you their reply online through your wedding website. This way, you can use The Knot Guest List Tool to easily collect RSVPs and track them online. Just add a QR code to your RSVP card (which you can do using the customization feature on The Knot Invitations) to lead invitees to the right spot.
3. RSVP Deadline
An accurate guest count is vital, so the sooner you know who's coming, the better. Set an RSVP deadline that's around four weeks before your wedding date to give yourselves and your vendors plenty of time to coordinate those last-minute details. Put your deadline to RSVP in a prominent place in your invitation suite, like in bold text at the bottom of the card where it won't go unnoticed by guests. Often, designs put the wedding RSVP deadline wording ("Kindly reply by [insert date] or "Please respond by [insert date]") front and center, even making it the largest text on the card—it's that important! And if some guests miss the deadline, use our guide on RSVP reminder wording to be polite, yet firm as you nudge them to reply.
4. Food Selection
Chicken, beef or vegetarian? This could lowkey be one of the most important RSVP questions to ask guests. If you'll be serving dinner at your wedding reception, you'll want to collect your guests' food preferences and if they have any dietary requirements or food allergies. Start by mentioning the meal type, buffet or plated dinner, in your wedding card RSVP wording. If the latter, use checkboxes to indicate their entree options. And, in either case, leave a fill-in-the-blank line below your carefully crafted wedding invitation RSVP card wording for guests to detail dietary restrictions.
5. Special Request Line
Last, but certainly not least, you can include a special request line on your RSVP cards. A common one is song requests, though some couples also ask for guests' drinks of choice to help them decide how to stock their bar, or that they include a favorite memory of the couple or relationship advice. This small addition to the wording for your wedding invitation RSVP will make it that much more fun for you and your fiancé to receive RSVPs.
Wedding RSVP Wording Examples
Ready to get into some wedding RSVP examples? We've curated a selection of samples below that'll help you nail the task. From wording for an online wedding RSVP, to fun RSVP wording for wedding invitations, to formal wedding RSVP card wording, we've got you covered.
Formal Wedding RSVP Wording
Follow these samples for wedding RSVP invitation wording for black-tie weddings or if you just prefer a timeless approach with your stationery. Truly, you can never go wrong leaning into so-called "proper" wording for wedding RSVP cards or traditional wedding RSVP wording, even if your celebration skews casual. Traditional wording relies on elegant language to indicate a "yes" or "no" response.
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Example One:
- Graciously accepts
- Respectfully declines
Example Two:
- Accepts with pleasure
- Declines with regret
Wedding RSVP Wording for Limited Guests
Photo: The Knot Invitations
Providing clarity around how many seats you've reserved for each party at your celebration is super important. And if you only have limited space available, you'll likely incorporate a preceding line noting that your venue is small and that you're not able to accommodate additional guests not listed on the invitation on your RSVP card. Use these RSVP card examples to guide you.
Example One:
We're so thrilled to celebrate with you. Please note our venue has strict capacity limits and we've set aside [number] of spots in your honor.
Example Two:
We've reserved [number] of seats for your party—we can't wait to see you.
Wedding RSVP Online Wording
Even if you're requesting RSVPs online, you'll need to include RSVP instructions on your wedding invitations. The best way to accomplish this: include paper RSVP cards in your invite suite as you normally would, but use some clever wedding RSVP wording to nudge guests over to your wedding website to respond. This looks a lot more classic than trying to shove the URL somewhere on your main invitation. Here's how to word online RSVPs on a separate enclosure card in your wedding invitation suite.
Example One:
Please visit our website to RSVP
[Insert wedding website URL]
Example Two:
Kindly respond using the below website
[Insert wedding website URL]
Unique Wedding RSVP Wording
Just like every other part of your special day, your stationery is an extension of your personalities. That said, don't be shy about branching out with unique wedding RSVP card wording options like these. Whether they lean into pop culture references, offbeat turns of phrase or cheeky puns, dare to be different. Let these sentences act as sample RSVP cards for this wording style.
Example One:
- Ready to eat, drink and see you get married!
- Will toast to you two from afar
Example Two:
- Yes, the party don't start 'til I walk in!
- No, party on without me
Funny Wedding RSVP Wording
Having an informal wedding or wanting your stationery to convey a relaxed, party-ready vibe? Use these RSVP card ideas to get a laugh out of your guests as they open the mail. The goal is for invitees to crack a smile immediately after laying eyes on the turns of phrase you chose, so keep that in mind as you write.
Example One:
- Abso-freaking-lutly I'll be there
- Sh*t, I can't come
Example Two:
- Yeah, but only if there's an open bar
- Can't make it, but will take a shot in your honor
Fun Wedding RSVP Wording
Photo: The Knot Invitations
Following these fun examples on how to word the RSVP card in your wedding invitation suite will strike the ideal balance between personality and polish. Your phrases should read a little bit casual, but we suggest saving any outwardly sassy language for your bach party invite. Give these samples for fun RSVP wording for a wedding a read.
Example One:
- Yes, let's party!
- No, bummed to miss it
Example Two:
- Heck yes!
- Shoot, can't make it
Creative Wedding RSVP Wording
Photo: The Knot Invitations
Creative wedding RSVP wording comes in handy if your celebration is leaning hard into a particular theme. Enchanted medieval forest? Get a little Old English vibe going. Disco fever? '70s lingo is a must. Star Wars wedding? Let the force be with you. Plus, your guests will get a great preview of what to expect on the day with language like this.
Example One:
- Yes, I will enter your galaxy
- No, but may the force be with you
Example Two:
- Sounds groovy, we're in
- Can't, catch you on the flip side
Cute Wedding RSVP Wording
Photo: The Knot Invitations
If you're a couple who garners tons of "aww"s from friends and family, you might consider some cute wedding RSVP wording. A pun or two will do, as would any classically romantic phrases. Remember: Cute definitely doesn't have to be cheesy. Check out these wedding RSVP wording examples to see what we mean.
Example One:
- Yes, can't wait to hug you!
- We'll celebrate you later on
Example Two:
- Yes, I'll bring the happy tears
- No, but I can't wait to see pictures
Wedding RSVP Card Etiquette Frequently Asked Questions
We bet you've nailed down the meaning of RSVP by now, but do you still have questions on proper wedding RSVP wording etiquette? We've got more insight into what goes on a wedding RSVP card and the envelope. And yes, we're also getting into the details on if you always need to include a paper RSVP card in your wedding invitation suite.
Do you have to provide wedding RSVP cards?
An RSVP card is a useful—though optional—addition to your wedding invitation suite. Many couples choose to include an RSVP card because they prompt guests to respond to the invite in a timely manner and, thus, help them organize the seating chart, menu and even music playlist. If you choose not to provide a wedding RSVP card, you should still include wording on your formal wedding invitation, reception invitation or another enclosure card regarding how guests can accept or deny their request for attendance. This may include a wedding website link so they can RSVP on The Knot digitally or a phone number to call and confirm their attendance.
How do you address wedding RSVP return envelopes?
You'll need to include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope with each RSVP card while you're preparing and addressing your wedding invitations so your guests can easily send their responses back to you. The envelopes for your RSVP cards should have the name(s) and address of who is handling the RSVPs on the front. This could be you and your finacé, either of your parents, your wedding planner or someone in the wedding party. If you're handling the RSVPs yourselves, you may address the cards with both your full names or just one person's name if you and your partner live separately. A cute alternative is "The future [insert last name]s" if you're choosing to share a last name. It's also customary to include stamps on the RSVP card envelopes so your guests don't need to pay for postage.
Example One:
Ainsley Miller and Jeff Tran
79 Lovebird Drive,
Loveland, TX 79336
Example Two:
The Future Clarkson-Patels
62 Sweetheart Way,
Love Hill, AL 36312
What's the standard size of wedding RSVP cards?
If you're working with a professional stationery designer, your RSVP cards can essentially come in any shape or size you'd like, though, the typical size is usually smaller than your main invitation, roughly 4–6 inches x 3–4 inches. Again, there's plenty of room for customization when it comes to what size your wedding RSVP cards should be and multiple sizes (and shapes) exist on the market for you to select from if you aren't working with a pro designer.
Additional reporting by Cathryn Haight.
