- A wedding RSVP card needs four elements: guest name line, accept/decline, meal choice (if applicable), and a reply-by date.
- Match your RSVP tone to your invitation: formal invitations call for formal response cards; casual invitations allow playful latitude.
- Reply deadline rule: set the RSVP date 3-4 weeks before the wedding to give your caterer final numbers.
- The traditional M_____ line is a prompt for guests to write Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Mx. before their name.
- Online RSVPs belong on your invitation or info card – not on the printed RSVP card itself.
- Paperlust RSVP cards are fully customizable and match any invitation suite – see RSVP card designs.
Your RSVP card is the smallest piece of paper in your invitation suite – and somehow the one that causes the most wording anxiety. Should you keep it formal? Add a meal option? Can you include a song request without it feeling cheesy? This guide covers every scenario with 50+ copy-ready templates, organized by tone and situation, so you can find the right words in minutes.
| Element | Required? | Example phrasing |
|---|---|---|
| Guest name line | Yes | M_____________ or “Name(s):” |
| Accept/decline | Yes | “Accepts with pleasure / Declines with regrets” |
| Guest count | Optional | “Number attending: ___” |
| Meal choice | If plated dinner | Beef / Chicken / Vegetarian |
| Dietary notes | Recommended | “Dietary requirements: ___” |
| Song request | Fun add-on | “Song that will get you on the dance floor: ___” |
| Reply-by date | Yes | “Kindly reply by October 12th” |
The anatomy of a wedding RSVP card
Before diving into templates, it helps to understand what each line of an RSVP card actually does – and why traditional phrasing evolved the way it did.
The M___ line
The underscored “M” at the start of the name line is a classic etiquette shortcut. It prompts guests to write their honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Mx., Dr.) followed by their full name. It signals formality without taking up much space. If your wedding is casual or you find the M line confusing to guests, swap it for a simple “Name(s):” label – both are perfectly correct.
Accepts / Declines
Traditional RSVP cards use “Accepts with pleasure” and “Declines with regrets” as the two options. Modern cards often shorten these to “Will attend” and “Unable to attend,” or go casual with “Joyfully accepts” and “Regretfully declines.” The key rule: give guests exactly two checkboxes or circle options – never make them write a full sentence to respond.
Number attending
If your invitation says “and guest” or you are inviting families with children, add a line for the number attending. This protects you from guests who RSVP for two and show up as five.
Reply-by date
Set your RSVP deadline 3-4 weeks before the wedding. Your caterer typically needs final numbers 2 weeks out, so this gives you buffer time to chase non-responders. Phrase it as a specific date – not “one month before” – so there is no ambiguity.
Formal RSVP wording examples
Formal wording mirrors the language of a traditional wedding invitation: third-person phrasing, full words instead of abbreviations, and “Accepts with pleasure” or “Declines with regrets.”
Classic formal RSVP
___ Accepts with pleasure
___ Declines with regrets
Kindly reply by the fifteenth of October
Formal with guest count
___ Accepts with pleasure ___ number attending
___ Declines with regrets
Please respond by October 15
Formal with meal selection
___ Accepts with pleasure
___ Declines with regrets
Meal preference:
___ Beef Tenderloin ___ Pan-Seared Salmon ___ Mushroom Risotto
Kindly reply by October 15th
Formal – third-person style
M_____________
Will _____ attend
Number of guests: _____
Formal with dietary note
___ Accepts with pleasure ___ Declines with regrets
Dietary requirements: _____________
Kindly reply by October 15th
For a cohesive suite, pair your formal RSVP card with a matching invitation design. Browse Paperlust wedding invitations to find suites with coordinated response card options.
Casual RSVP wording examples
Casual wording drops the third-person formality and uses conversational language. “Will attend” replaces “Accepts with pleasure,” and the tone is warm rather than stately. Perfect for garden parties, backyard weddings, or any celebration with a relaxed vibe.
Simple casual
___ Wouldn’t miss it!
___ Can’t make it, but cheers to you both
Please reply by October 15th
Casual with guest count
___ We’ll be there! Number attending: ___
___ We won’t be able to make it
Please respond by October 15th
Warm and personal
Count us in! ___ guests will be celebrating with you
Sorry, we can’t make it ___
Please let us know by October 15th
Casual with meal choice
___ Yes, we’ll be there! ___ We can’t make it
What’s on your plate?
___ Steak ___ Chicken ___ Veggie
Reply by October 15th
Casual destination wedding RSVP
___ We’re packing our bags! Number attending: ___
___ We’ll be cheering from home
Please reply by August 1st so we can finalize travel arrangements
Fun and playful RSVP wording
Playful RSVPs are a chance to let your personality shine. These work especially well at theme weddings, micro-weddings with close friends, or any celebration where the couple is known for their sense of humor.
Food-lover theme
___ Feed me, I’m coming!
___ I’ll celebrate from my couch
Please reply by October 15th
Dance floor theme
___ Shoes on, ready to dance
___ My dancing shoes will miss you
Kindly reply by October 15th
Adventure couple
___ Adventure accepted! ___ guests attending
___ Adventure declined
Reply by October 15th
Brunch wedding
___ Mimosas and memories? We’re in!
___ We’ll raise a glass from afar
Please reply by August 20th
Bookworm couple
___ Chapter accepted
___ Plot twist: can’t make it
Reply by October 15th
RSVP wording with meal choice
If your venue is serving a plated dinner, your caterer will need individual meal selections before the event. Adding meal choice to the RSVP card is the most reliable way to collect this – more reliable than asking guests to select at the venue. Here are templates for different dining scenarios.
Three-option plated dinner
___ Accepts with pleasure ___ Declines with regrets
Please select a meal for each guest attending:
Guest 1: ___ Beef ___ Chicken ___ Vegetarian
Guest 2: ___ Beef ___ Chicken ___ Vegetarian
Kindly reply by October 15th
Two-option dinner (classic)
___ Will attend ___ Unable to attend
Dinner selection (circle one per guest):
___ Filet Mignon ___ Salmon en Papillote
Please reply by October 15th
Per-person meal grid (larger families or “and guest” invitations)
Name: _____________ Meal: ___ Beef ___ Chicken ___ Veg
___ We will not be attending
Kindly reply by October 15th
Buffet (no meal choice needed, but note attendance)
___ Will attend Number in your party: ___
___ Unable to attend
Please reply by October 15th
Dietary restriction wording
Adding a dietary note line to your RSVP saves awkward conversations at the reception and ensures your caterer can accommodate everyone. Keep the prompt open-ended rather than listing specific allergies – guests know their own needs best.
Simple dietary line
More specific prompt
Combined meal + dietary
___ Accepts with pleasure ___ Declines with regrets
Meal: ___ Beef ___ Chicken ___ Vegetarian
Dietary notes: _____________
Kindly reply by October 15th
Song request add-ons
Song request lines are a popular modern addition to RSVP cards. They double as a crowd-sourced playlist for your DJ and serve as a fun conversation starter. Keep the prompt light – you do not have to honor every selection, but guests love feeling included.
Classic song request
Playful version
Activity addition for non-dancer crowds
A piece of advice for the newlyweds: _____________
RSVP deadline phrasing
The reply-by line is easy to underestimate – but phrasing it clearly prevents late RSVPs and reduces the number of times you need to chase guests. Here are proven ways to write it.
| Tone | Wording |
|---|---|
| Formal | Kindly reply by the fifteenth of October |
| Standard | Please respond by October 15th |
| Casual | Please let us know by October 15th |
| Gentle nudge | We’d love to hear from you by October 15th |
| Humorous | Reply by October 15th or we’ll guess you’re coming with a plus-one |
Online RSVP wording (for the invitation card)
If you are using a wedding website for RSVPs instead of a printed response card, you need to let guests know on the invitation itself. This wording goes on the invitation or information card – not on a separate RSVP card, since there is no separate card in this scenario.
Clean and simple
More detail
Visit [yourweddingwebsite.com] to confirm your attendance and meal preference
Formal version
[yourweddingwebsite.com]
What to avoid on your RSVP card
A few common RSVP wording mistakes that are easy to avoid:
- Vague deadlines: “ASAP” or “as soon as possible” are not deadlines. Write a specific date.
- No name line: Without a name line, guests sometimes forget to write their name and you receive an anonymous RSVP with no way to identify who sent it.
- Too many options: Keep accept/decline to two choices. Do not add a “maybe” option – it creates follow-up work for you.
- Confusing meal labels: Use dish names your caterer will recognize, not just “Option A” and “Option B.”
- Missing envelope: Always include a self-addressed stamped reply envelope with printed RSVP cards. If guests have to supply their own stamp, response rates drop.
Your RSVP card does not have to be a plain white card. Paperlust offers fully coordinated RSVP cards that match your invitation design – same paper stock, same print method, same color palette. Foil, letterpress, and digital print options are available. Browse RSVP card designs to find your match.
Created by the Paperlust stationery team. Paperlust was founded in Melbourne in 2014 and has helped thousands of couples across the US, Australia, and beyond design custom wedding stationery. Our in-house designers work with couples daily on wording, layout, and print choices – and we offer a 100% happiness guarantee on every order.
Frequently asked questions
What does the M___ line mean on a wedding RSVP card?
The “M” is a prompt for guests to write their honorific: Mr., Mrs., Ms., Mx., or Dr., followed by their full name. It is a traditional etiquette convention that signals formality. If you prefer something more modern, replace it with “Name(s):” – both are perfectly correct.
Should I include a self-addressed stamped envelope with RSVP cards?
Yes. Etiquette dictates that you pre-stamp the reply envelope so guests do not have to supply their own postage. Skipping this step consistently lowers response rates. The cost of stamps is negligible compared to the headache of chasing non-responders.
What is the difference between an RSVP card and a response card?
They are the same thing – “response card” is the traditional etiquette term, while “RSVP card” is the colloquial name most couples use today. Both refer to the small card guests fill out and return to confirm attendance.
Can I put meal choices on my RSVP card?
Absolutely. If your reception features a plated dinner, adding meal choices to the RSVP card is the standard way to collect selections. List each menu option with a checkbox or circle option next to each guest name line. Your caterer will give you a deadline for final numbers – set your RSVP date 1-2 weeks before that.
What is the best RSVP deadline for a wedding?
Set your RSVP deadline 3-4 weeks before the wedding date. This gives you buffer time to follow up with non-responders before handing final numbers to your caterer, who typically needs them 2 weeks out.
Do I need a printed RSVP card if I have a wedding website?
Not necessarily. Many modern couples skip the printed RSVP card and direct guests to respond online. If you go this route, include the website URL and response deadline on your invitation card or a separate information card. Some couples include both options – a printed card for older guests and an online option for everyone else.
Can I include a song request on my RSVP card?
Yes – and guests love it. A song request line is a fun, low-effort way to crowd-source your reception playlist. Keep the prompt casual: “Song that will get you on the dance floor:” is the most common phrasing. You are not obligated to play every song, but having the list makes your DJ’s job easier.
How do I handle guests who do not send back their RSVP?
Set a firm deadline and follow up personally (by phone or text, not email) with non-responders one week after the deadline passes. Make a note of their reply for your caterer’s count. If you cannot reach someone, it is appropriate to count them as not attending for catering purposes.
Can my RSVP card match my wedding invitations?
Yes. Paperlust RSVP cards are designed as part of coordinated suites – same paper, same print method, same foil color. When you order a wedding invitation suite, you can add matching RSVP cards in the same order. See the full RSVP card collection or browse wedding invitations to start building your suite.
What is the proper way to word an RSVP card for a ceremony-only invitation?
For ceremony-only events (no reception dinner), you do not need a meal choice line. Keep it simple: name line, accept/decline checkboxes, and a reply-by date. If the ceremony has limited seating, add a “number attending” line to manage capacity.
The variety of templates for different wedding styles in this guide is incredibly helpful, especially since finding the right tone for RSVP cards can be such a tricky balance. I particularly appreciate how the examples navigate the shift from traditional formality to more casual, modern phrasing while still clearly conveying the necessary details. This resource is a fantastic starting point for couples who want their invitations to feel truly personal yet professionally polished.