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Wedding RSVPs The Etiquette of Response Cards, and Response Card Wording

A Guide to RSVPs, Response Cards, and Reply Cards.

Once upon a time, people didn’t need response cards. When they received a written invitation, they would RSVP on their own stationery, offering congratulations and whether or not they would be able to attend.

With the invention of the telephone, it became customary to include a response card for formal invitations, and to ask people to RSVP by telephone for casual invitations.

But 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

The good news is, there isn’t a “correct” way of response card wording. Instead, there are styles that are more appropriate for a formal wedding, and those best suited to a casual affair. There are also some styles best for a bride and groom with a very tight guest list, or for the person who needs to have a firm control on who is and isn’t coming to the wedding.
(scroll down for samples of response card wording)













The most common styles of RSVP wording are:

The favor of a reply is requested
by June 16, 2006.
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 June 16, 2006
M___________________________
____ accepts _____ regrets

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We have reserved two seats in your honor.
M___________________________
{ } Accept with pleasure
{ } Decline with regret
Please respond by June 16, 2006

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

___________________________

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please take a moment to fill in the blanks:

____________!
(Exclamation)

_____________ is/are ____________ to attend
(Your name{s}) (able/unable)

There are
___________ people in our posse.
(total number)

Kindly mail by June 16, 2006

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kindly reply before June 16, 2005

Name(s)

_________________

___Can’t wait!
___Can’t come!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Other things you may wish to include in the response card