Wedding RSVP Etiquette

The rendezvous for the wedding is set, the location and caterer has been booked, and the invitations are selected. But what about those little RSVP notes, the wedding response cards. RSVP is generally attached to invitation for formal events. Etiquettes stipulate that invited guests should always respond to RSVP as soon as possible. Even in the case of declining an invitation, a guest must reply. However, for most of us, it is a quandary, as to how, and in what format to reply without being rude and improper. RSVP stands for the French phrase "répondez s'il vous plaît", and in informal English, it means, "please respond”. It is used when someone sends you a social invitation, and wants to know whether you intend to come or not. In today’s times, it is referred to as a simple courtesy to respond to an invitation. For the host who is planning a wedding or any formal event, replying to “RSVP” is important from a practical point of view. They need to know the number of people, so that they can make final plans for the event. Many wedding invitations come with a response card that you can mail back right away. Read the lines below to know more tips on wedding RSVP etiquettes.

RSVP Wedding Etiquettes

Confirm your schedule to see whether you are free on the prearranged date, and time. If you are busy on that particular date and time, you will have to turn down the invitation.
If you are not positive about attending the event, you might want to decline the invitation. You should avoid giving any explanations or lame excuses. You can just state, “I am sorry, I won’t be able to attend.” Just let your host know not to wait for you.
Ensure that you take a decision by the date specified on the invitation. If the ‘reply date’ has not been mentioned, respond within 24 hours of receiving the invitation. It is considered rude not to reply swiftly to any invitation, and turn up there.
Do not leave your hosts in apprehension. Avoid being rude to your hosts by keeping them on your list as a backup plan. If you are open to the invitation send a proper response by stating, ‘Thank you for the invitation, but I am afraid I will not be able to attend’.
You can reply to the invitation in the same format as the one in which you were invited. For RSVP to a wedding, write the reply on a plain piece of stationery, reflecting the layout of the initial invitation. An email invitation can be answered by email.
For any last minute cancelations or changes, get in touch with your host as soon as you can. You can call them to apologize, and let them know that you can’t come. Your RSVP should communicate your best intentions.
Less formal events generally note the RSVPs at the bottom of the invitation. Formal events have stamped RSVP card for you to answer the mail. Read the instructions on how to reply to the invitation properly.
If the invitation says "Regrets only", you only have to RSVP if you cannot attend the event. Otherwise, the host has already counted you in. Remember to get in touch with the host if you cannot attend.
Do not answer yes to the RSVP, and fail to show up. Only a matter of serious illness or bereavement should keep you away. It is bad etiquette, and impolite to state you will be there, and then not show up.

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