Wedding RSVP wording
Write your RSVP and reply card the UK way, with the online reply, places reserved and the reply by date. Fill in your details and copy it. Free.
RSVP wording is two things: the line at the foot of the invitation, and, if you use one, the reply card. Both say where to reply and by when. Reply cards are common now, and many couples add an online reply.
Pick a tone below. The reply date and web address come from your details, and the web address is always printed beside any QR code, for guests who never scan.
Which card?
The card guests send back, and the formal reply by hand.
Your card
Formal wording. The date and time are spelled out where the country does that.
Please reply by [reply by date]
Name(s) ____________________
accept with pleasure
decline with regret
Dietary requirements
RSVP [reply address] by [reply by date]
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Why this wording
- RSVP at the bottom left with where to reply and by when. A web address is printed beside any QR code.Worth a look: this comes from one source.
- Traditional guides say about two months; planning guides say two or three weeks. Five to six weeks sits between them.
A quick look
- Worth a lookNo date yet. Add one when you have it.
- Worth a look3 details are still to fill in.
Your details
Only what this card needs. Everything stays as you type it, accents and hyphens included.
Leave empty if you would rather not say.
Filled from your wedding's events when they have meal choices. Leave empty if there is no meal choice.
How to word RSVPs
Pick the tone. Traditional, modern, relaxed or a light, funny one.
Set the reply date. Traditional guides say about two months before; planning guides say two or three weeks. The builder suggests a date between the two.
Say how many places are reserved. "We have reserved 2 places for you" answers the plus-one question before it is asked.
Offer both ways to reply. Online with the typed web address, and by post. Ask for dietary needs in the same place.
Put RSVP at the bottom left. With where to reply and by when.
Examples, by situation
The examples for this page are being read through before we publish them. The builder, the notes and the guide on this page work now.
The RSVP line
On a traditional invitation, RSVP sits at the bottom left, with the address, email or web address and the date to reply by. A reply card adds a line for names, accept and decline, and dietary needs.
Replying by hand, in the third person
When an invitation is formal and has no reply card, the reply is traditionally written by hand in the third person. "Mr and Mrs Alan Brooks thank Mr and Mrs Richard Ellison for their kind invitation and have much pleasure in accepting." Only the guests who were invited reply. This form comes from general etiquette and is worth a look before you rely on it.
How to decline
No reason is needed. A formal regret is "regret that they are unable to accept", and a short note in your own words, sent separately, is kind.
Questions people ask
- What should RSVP wording say?
- Where to reply and by when, at the bottom left of the invitation. A reply card adds names, accept or decline, and dietary needs.
- How long before the wedding should the RSVP date be?
- Traditional guides say about two months; planning guides say two or three weeks. Five to six weeks sits between the two.
- How do you reply to a formal wedding invitation?
- By hand, in the third person: "thank ... for their kind invitation and have much pleasure in accepting".
- How do you decline a wedding invitation?
- Write that you regret you are unable to accept. No reason is needed.
- Can I use a QR code on a reply card?
- Yes, if the web address is printed beside it and there is a second way to reply.
- How do I say who is invited?
- Say how many places are reserved on the card, and address the envelope to the people invited.
Related
- Wedding ChecklistWhen to send each of these, in order.
- Wedding Guest ListWho is invited to what, and the seats on each reply card.
- Thank-you listWho gave what, the wording for each thank-you, and who is left to thank.
- Speeches and VowsYour vows, and a speech for everyone who is speaking.