Classic
The favour of a reply is requested by the first of September M ______________________________ ___ accepts with pleasure ___ declines with regret
The "M" is where guests write Mr, Mrs, Ms or Miss before their name.
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Wedding RSVP wording
13 examples for reply cards, online RSVPs, and the awkward ones — adults only, no plus-ones, and chasing a late reply.
Traditional reply cards
The formal version, for a card that goes in the envelope with a stamp on it.
Formal, with meal choice
The favour of a reply is requested by 1 September M ______________________________ ___ accepts with pleasure ___ declines with regret Kindly indicate your selection ___ Beef ___ Fish ___ Vegetarian
Hosted by the parents
Mr and Mrs Henderson request the pleasure of your company The favour of a reply is requested by 1 September M ______________________________ ___ will attend ___ will not attend
Modern and relaxed
Warmer, shorter, and easier for guests to answer without wondering what is expected.
Simple
Please let us know by 1 September Name(s): ______________________ ___ Count us in ___ Sorry, we can't make it
With a number of seats
We've saved ___ seats for you Please reply by 1 September ___ We'll be there ___ We'll be celebrating from afar Anything we should know about food? ________________________________
Printing the number of seats prevents the most common RSVP problem: guests adding people you did not invite.
Playful
Will you join us? Name(s): ______________________ ___ Wouldn't miss it ___ Can't make it, but sending love Song that will get you dancing: ________________________________
Online RSVP wording
What to print on the invitation when replies happen on a website instead of a card.
With a link
Kindly reply by 1 September at rspill.com/w/alex-and-sam We'd love to know if you can join us.
With a QR code
Scan to reply [ QR code ] Kindly respond by 1 September. No account needed — just find your name.
One code for the whole wedding, so it fits on a single card.
Link plus a phone fallback
Please reply by 1 September at rspill.com/w/alex-and-sam Not online? Call or text Alex on 555 0134 and we'll add you.
Worth including if you have older guests. Someone will always prefer to phone.
The awkward ones
Wording for the things couples find hardest to say politely.
Adults only
We love your little ones, but we've chosen to keep our celebration adults only. We hope this gives you an evening off to enjoy with us.
Say it on the details card, not the reply card, and name the invited guests on the envelope.
No plus-ones
We've reserved ___ seats in your honour. Because of the size of our venue, we're only able to accommodate the guests named on this invitation.
Asking for no gifts
Your presence is the only present we need. If you would like to give something, a contribution towards our honeymoon would be wonderful — but please don't feel obliged.
Chasing a late reply
Hi! We're finalising numbers with our caterer this week and haven't heard from you yet. Could you let us know either way by Friday? No hard feelings if you can't make it — we just need a final count.
Send this as a text, not a card. It works because it explains why you need an answer.
What makes an RSVP card actually work
The wording matters less than the number of decisions you are asking a guest to make. Every extra blank is another reason to put the card on the kitchen counter and deal with it later, and later is how you end up chasing eleven people the week your caterer wants numbers.
Print the number of seats
“We have saved 2 seats for you” prevents the most common RSVP problem, which is guests cheerfully adding a partner or a child you had not budgeted for. It answers the question before they have to guess, and nobody is offended by it.
Set the deadline earlier than you need
Three weeks before the wedding, and at least a week before your caterer wants a final count. Some people will always reply late, so build the slack in rather than hoping.
Say the hard things kindly, and once
Adults only, no plus-ones, no gifts — each of these lands better with a reason attached and a warm tone, said once on the details card rather than repeated across every piece of stationery.
Make replying take under a minute
A card needs finding, filling, an envelope and a stamp. A link needs a tap. If you are collecting replies online, our planner gives each party a private link — or one QR code for the whole wedding, for when the invitation has room for exactly one thing — and tracks who still owes you an answer.
Common questions
What does the M mean on an RSVP card?
It is the start of a title — Mr, Mrs, Ms or Miss — and guests write their own name after it. It is a formal convention, and there is no harm at all in printing "Name" instead if it feels stiff.
What RSVP deadline should we set?
About three weeks before the wedding, and at least a week before your caterer needs final numbers. Set it earlier than you strictly need, because a meaningful proportion of guests will reply after the date whatever you print.
How do you politely say adults only?
Put it on the details card rather than the reply card, name the invited guests on the envelope, and give a warm reason rather than a rule — something like "we have chosen to keep our celebration adults only, and we hope this gives you an evening off". Being specific about who is invited on the envelope does most of the work.
How do you stop guests adding people you did not invite?
Print the number of seats you have reserved on the reply card — "we have saved 2 seats for you". It is the single most effective line, because it answers the question before the guest has to guess.
Should we use paper RSVP cards or an online form?
Online replies come back faster and cost nothing to send, and you can chase people without printing anything. Paper still suits a formal wedding, and some older guests genuinely prefer it. Plenty of couples do both — a card for those who want one, a link or QR code for everyone else.
Collect the replies too.
Send one link or one QR code, and watch the answers land — with meal choices counted for your caterer.
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