What is the importance of an RSVP card in a wedding invitation suite?

A wedding invitation suite consists of a lot of elements and cards like thank you cards, menu cards, save-the-dates, wedding favors, etc. One such important part of a wedding invitations suite is an RSVP card.

The RSVP word is derived from the French expression – répondez s’il vous plait. It means ‘please respond’. If an invitation card has RSVP mentioned over it, it simply implies that the host wants the guests to respond whether they will attend or unable to attend the party.

While in many cultures, RSVP is a must-have, others do not include RSVP details. However, an RSVP is very critical for the planning of a wedding. It gives you a number to work with when arranging for menu, beverages, seating, etc.

Are RSVPs still relevant?

With the ongoing craze for digital wedding invitations, some people might think if RSVPs are still in trend. According to us, RSVPs still matter a lot. Even if you are sending invites over mail, you can ask the guests to respond about their possibility to attend the event.

As a guest, you must always respond to an RSVP. Though you are not obliged to respond, it is considered a very kind gesture. To save time, some hosts also send RSVP with regrets only option. This means you need to reply only if you are not coming to the event.

If by any case you fail to uphold your commitment to RSVP, you create a difficult situation for the hosts. If you decline an invitation and then show up at the last moment, uninformed, your host will have a tough time arranging for a seat for you, especially in seated dinners.

RSVP wordings are also curated by keeping the tone soft and polite. This is why most of the RSVPs include wordings such as – ‘Your kind reply is expected by 25th June’.

What to do when you receive an RSVP card?

The next time you receive an RSVP, take care of the following points:

• Take cues from the wedding invitation. If you have received the invite through email, then a response through email is acceptable. If you received an enclosed card, then you must reply accordingly. You can analyze the formality of the invitation card to judge the required response
• Rule of thumb is to reply as soon as you receive the card. For invitations through the post, you can reply within a few days. For phone or in-person invitations, you can reply once you are sure of your schedule.
• A good host understands his guests and their reason for not attending the event. Hence, reply in brief when declining the invitation. If required, you can explain your reason over a call
• If the invitation does not have RSVP mentioned over it, you don’t need to reply. However, as a polite gesture, you might send a personal message if you will not be able to attend.

RSVPs are the best way to plan and organize a successful event. Any urgency or change in plans must be immediately notified to the host.