The RSVP is a small piece of paper (or a single screen) that carries a surprising amount of weight. It needs to tell guests what you need from them, make it easy to respond, and somehow still feel like it belongs with the rest of your invitation suite.
Here's every RSVP wording scenario you might need.
Classic Formal RSVP Card
Kindly reply by the twentieth of October
>
___ accepts with pleasure
___ declines with regrets
>
Meal selection:
☐ Beef ☐ Chicken ☐ Vegetarian
>
Dietary restrictions: _______________
Warm and Modern
Please let us know by October 20th
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Name(s): _______________
>
☐ Joyfully accepts
☐ Regretfully declines
>
Meal preference (please select for each guest):
☐ Filet mignon ☐ Pan-seared salmon ☐ Mushroom risotto
>
Any dietary needs? _______________
Playful and Casual
Will you be there?
>
Name(s): _______________
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☐ Wouldn't miss it!
☐ Sorry, can't make it
>
What are you eating?
☐ Steak ☐ Fish ☐ Pasta ☐ Plant-based
>
Allergies or restrictions: _______________
Online RSVP Only (No Card)
If you're skipping physical RSVP cards entirely:
Kindly respond by October 20th at memorra.app/rsvp/[your-link]
Or printed on the invitation:
RSVP at the link below by October 20th
memorra.app/rsvp/your-name-here
Online RSVPs have significant advantages: no lost mail, real-time response tracking, automatic meal tallies, and the ability to follow up with non-responders in seconds.
Including Plus-Ones
If you're allowing plus-ones, make it explicit:
We have reserved ___ seat(s) in your honor
Fill in the number per invitation (1 for solo guests, 2 for couples). This prevents guests from assuming they can bring someone when they can't.
RSVP Deadline Wording
How far out should your deadline be?
For domestic guests: 3–4 weeks before the wedding.
For destination weddings with significant travel: 6–8 weeks out.
Phrase options:
- •"Kindly reply by [date]"
- •"Please respond by [date]"
- •"RSVP by [date]"
- •"We kindly ask for your reply by [date]"
Tip: Set your stated deadline 3–5 days earlier than your actual caterer deadline. This builds in buffer for late responses (and there will be late responses).
Dietary Restriction Wording
Gathering dietary information upfront saves enormous stress:
Please note any food allergies or dietary requirements: _______________
Or more specifically:
Do you have any dietary restrictions we should know about?
☐ None ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten-free ☐ Nut allergy ☐ Other: ___
Handling Non-Responders
Even with a clear deadline, expect 15–20% of guests to not respond on time. Build this into your workflow: the week after your deadline, cross-reference your guest list against responses and personally reach out to everyone who hasn't replied.
A digital RSVP system makes this easy — you can see exactly who hasn't responded, filter them out, and message them directly rather than hunting through paper cards.
Memorra gives every guest a personal RSVP link. Responses populate your list in real time — you always know your headcount, meal breakdown, and who still needs a nudge.