Enclosure Cards- RSVP 101
What is a reply card?
A reply card is an enclosure card that is included within your invitation suite. It is typically designed in the same style as your main invitation and is a convenient way for your guests to communicate with you if they will be attending your wedding. It helps give you an accurate guest count for your wedding day.
What should be included in a reply card?
Reply cards should leave a space for the guests to write their names. This might be the most essential part because you need to know who has actually replied to your invitation. An M typically precedes the line where the guests will write their names. The M stands for the guests’ titles- Mr./Mrs./Ms.
It’s helpful to include a response date on the card so guests know when they need to reply to you. It’s most polite of them to reply immediately after receiving the invitation, but some may need time to decide if they can be there on your big day.
Meal Selection- only if you are having a seated dinner.
Events- Are you having a welcome dinner? After party? Day-after brunch? Maybe a pool party? If you’re inviting all your guests to multiple events, you’ll need a head count for each event.
And lastly, it’s helpful to include wording for your guests to indicate that they are accepting or declining the invitation. Whatever phrasing you decide, it should match the formality of your invitation and your wedding.
Reply Card Wording
This will depend on what your wedding day looks like. Whatever wording you decide on, it should match the theme and formality of your wedding. It might be confusing if you’re having a black-tie wedding with casual wordsmithing. My favorites are kindly reply, respondez sil vous plait, the favor of your reply is requested by, and a simple RSVP.
And lastly, for the convenience of your guests, don’t forget to include the prestamped envelope!
Going Modern?
Some couples today are foregoing the response card and instead directing their guests to their wedding website where they can reply. This is a more budget-friendly and eco-friendly way of collecting responses from your guests. These cards typically include a response date, QR code, and/or the website.
If you are going this route, don’t forget to think of your older guests who might not be as technically savvy as you. It’s our belief at Zimmerman Design Studio that if you want to utilize a QR code, you should also include the web address. This gives your guests options as to how they want to view your wedding website. Some people might not mind viewing all your wedding details on their phone’s small screen, but others might find it easier to navigate on a larger computer screen.
