An Expert Guide to Wedding RSVP Cards & Complete Stationery Packages

You probably wouldn’t consider RSVP cards the most important piece of your wedding invitation suite, but the experts here at Zola say they're likely more crucial than you may think. These enclosure cards ensure that your wedding guests can adhere to wedding RSVP etiquette and, well, actually respond.

Alternatively, your RSVP enclosure cards can direct wedding guests to your wedding website to accept or decline your wedding invites. Your Zola wedding planning timeline is essential for staying sane, and your wedding RSVP deadline management factors in greatly. From centerpieces and seating, to catering and cake size, RSVP management and guest count creates an impact.

Whether you're considering a paper response card for guests to mail back or digital RSVP alternatives, our team of experts has you covered. Stress-free wedding planning with Zola is simple—even when it comes to optimal RSVP timing for weddings.

What Is A Wedding RSVP Card?

An RSVP card, also known as a response card, is an important piece of your wedding invitation suite. Although it might not get a lot of spotlight, this small card plays a critical role in facilitating guests’ responses to your invitation.

RSVP cards are included in the same envelope as your wedding invitations, typically placed on top. They’re accompanied by postmarked, addressed return envelopes so that guests can fill out the required info and send back the completed card to you (or the event hosts/planners) with minimal effort.

RSVP cards and envelopes are necessary unless you choose to include RSVP contact information on your invitation or to gather wedding RSVPs online.

Are RSVP Cards Necessary for a Wedding?

Required RSVP Components and RSVP Alternatives

With the growing presence of digital RSVPs and online RSVP options, many couples wonder if they even need a paper card. Of course, if you're going the route of paperless wedding invitations, guests can respond via RSVP tracking systems by clicking in the appropriate place on the wedding invitation.

Whether you use traditional vs. modern RSVP methods, you can still collect digital RSVPs on your Zola wedding website. However, the RSVP necessity is still there for headcount accuracy.

The recommended way to collect RSVPs for guest management is to add an RSVP card to your invitation suite. This can either be a card they mail back to you or it can be a card directing folks to your wedding website to RSVP.

Factors to Consider for Sending RSVP Cards

• A lot of your decision will depend on the formality of your wedding. For a casual wedding, have guests RSVP directly to your site. For formal weddings, have them mail back an RSVP card.
• Your budget will also factor into what type of RSVP you request. Of course, skipping a paper card is less expensive. Plus, you won't have to put the return postage on the RSVP envelope, which is also an added expense.
• If your wedding planning timeline is short, our Zola RSVP deadline recommendations are to opt for a digital RSVP. Wedding website RSVPs will roll in quicker than waiting on cards to be mailed back.
• When having an eco-friendly wedding, Zola paperless options can be the perfect answer.

Wedding RSVP Card Goals

A well-crafted RSVP card should accomplish the following:

1. Provide a quick and easy way for guests to reply to your wedding invitations.
2. Communicate to you (or the hosts) exactly who will be attending the wedding.
3. Give guests a clear deadline by which they need to send a reply.
4. Allow guests to pre-select their entree of choice, if you are serving a meal option.
5. Gather other helpful information from guests, such as whether they plan on using provided transportation.
6. Coordinate with your wedding invitation for a seamless, well-designed look.

Basic Template for Wedding RSVP Card Wording

Writing an RSVP card is not rocket science, but there is a standard format—including a few odd formalities—that is helpful to understand. Below we’ve outlined a basic RSVP card template, followed by an explanation of each of the standard components.

[RSVP deadline]

[Name of guests]
– M____________

-OR-

– Name(s) ________

[Attendance line]
___ accept(s) ___ regret(s)

-OPTIONAL-

___________ of [total number of household members] will attend

[Entree selection instructions]

[Entree choices]

1. RSVP deadline: Include an RSVP deadline no less than one month from your wedding date (or according to any vendors’ requirements), and prominently place the deadline on the card. If dates are spelled out in the invitation, the RSVP deadline should follow suit.
2. Name of guests: Here, guests fill in their names on the blank line. See below for why more formal RSVP cards include the letter “M” at the beginning of this line.
3. Attendance line: Guests mark the appropriate “yes” or “no” response here. While the name(s) on the envelope should make it clear who is included in this invitation, if you’re inviting many whole families, consider wording that accommodates multiple people per household to eliminate any confusion.
4. Entree selection instruction line: If you’re serving a plated meal and you’re averse to utter chaos, it’s helpful to allow guests to select their entrées on their response cards. Whether you reveal each specific entrée or simply outline the proteins or meal types, include instructions for how to make a selection followed by a list of the options.

How to Word Wedding RSVP Cards

Although they don’t involve nearly as much information as the invitation itself, you should think carefully about your RSVP card wording to make the process as clear and simple as possible for (potentially unobservant) guests. Since the attendance line is perhaps the easiest place to personalize your RSVP card language, here are some name and attendance line wording examples based on formality.

Formal

M___________________________________

___ accept(s) with pleasure

___ declines with regret

Traditional

M___________________________________

___ will attend

___ will not attend

M___________________________________

___ accept(s)

___ regret(s)

Casual

Name(s): ___________________________________

___ will celebrate in person

___ will celebrate in spirit

Name(s): ___________________________________

___ Can’t wait!

___ Sorry, wish I could be there

Name(s): ___________________________________

___ Looking forward to it!

___ Sorry, can’t make it

Whimsical

Name(s): ___________________________________

___ Let the good times roll!

___ Sad to miss all the fun

Name(s): ___________________________________

___ Free booze? Count me in!

___ Sitting this one out

How to Address Wedding RSVP Envelopes

Speaking of addressing, now that you’ve nailed your RSVP card wording, you might be wondering how to handle your RSVP card envelopes. Generally speaking, be sure to include the name and address of the recipient on the response card envelope.

It’s traditional to address guests using the proper courtesy title before his or her name(s): Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss. When addressing the married couple-to-be, only use the couple’s first names.

Here are three basic tips to remember when it comes to addressing and preparing your wedding RSVP envelopes:

1. Print the address on the envelope.

Don’t make your invitees do more work than they have to—you want to make it super-easy for them to write their name, check a box, and mail the reply back to you. Therefore be sure to print the address to which you want the RSVP cards to be mailed on the front of the envelope. Most companies will offer RSVP envelope addressing as part of their services to you (Zola offers both RSVP envelopes and their addressing, for free!).

2. Send them to the right person.

While you do have to address your response card envelopes, you don’t necessarily have to address them to yourself and your partner. If you’ve hired a wedding planner or coordinator, s/he may prefer to receive the response cards. Or perhaps your parents are helping with the planning or actually hosting the wedding. Identify the person (or couple) that will be responsible for collecting, tracking, and generally organizing your invitation RSVPs, and address the response card envelopes to that person’s preferred mailing address.

3. Include postage.

If you want your guests to actually put your RSVP card in the mail, then offer them the courtesy of a pre-stamped envelope. Make sure you include the proper amount of postage (usually just a standard letter-rate stamp) per envelope. Beyond simple convenience, it’s rude to make your guests dig up their own stamp.

What to Look for in Complete Wedding Stationery Packages

• Head to the right place. If you're looking for a complete wedding invitation package, you came to the right place! Zola is an all-in-one wedding stationery solution offering wedding stationery suites that include matching wedding invitation designs and all of the enclosure cards (like RSVPs!) you need.
• Order your stationery suite at the same time as the RSVPs. With Zola's complete wedding stationery packages, you'll save time, have consistency, and save on postage by ordering everything all at once. Plus, you'll be able to proofread to ensure they're mistake-free and be able to mail it all at once.
• Opt for free envelope addressing. Writing addresses is half the battle and takes a lot of time, but Zola has your back. Both your return address and guest addresses can be printed with our free envelope addressing service.
• Make sure everything coordinates. With Zola, you can also select a wedding invitation suite with a website to match. That way, there is cohesion if your guests RSVP online.
• Order a proof for certainty. There's just something about holding your invitation and seeing it in person before ordering 100 of them. With Zola, you can order a printed proof to ensure everything's just right.

Using Digital RSVP Management with Paper Invitations

Wondering if it's ok to combine online RSVP options with your custom response card design? The answer is yes! How do digital RSVPs work with paper invitations? Here is what you need to know to enhance the process:

• Choose a matching wedding website. To ensure your guests know they're in the right place, choose a site that matches your custom RSVP designs. The wedding website integration is also seamless with Zola.
• Add your site address to your response card design. Direct your guests to your site (you can personalize yours at Zola!) so they can respond. You can also better keep pace with your response deadline management.
• Put other specifics on your RSVP card. Putting a guest meal selection or accessibility requests on your response card? Don't forget to add those to your wedding RSVP management system so that guests can reply.
• Use RSVP response tracking. Once a guest responds, it's tracked immediately, and they can receive follow-ups, instructions, and reminders. That means no lost cards in the mail—plus, it's more environmentally-friendly and less expensive in the long run.

RSVP Card Design Options

When selecting your response card, you have lots of printing and paper options. Here are a few general standards:

Paper Types

• Cotton - Generally composed of 100% cotton fibers, which may incorporate recycled materials.
• Linen - Commonly crafted from paper that resembles the appearance and texture of linen, frequently featuring a basket weave or crosshatch design.
• Cardstock - Made from medium to heavy-weight paper, typically derived from tree pulp, and has a smooth, matte surface. It can also be available in double or triple thickness.

Printing Methods

• Thermography - Produces a raised, textured, and shiny finish on printed images or text by applying heat to melt powdered resin.
• Letterpress - A form of relief printing where raised surfaces, typically made of metal type, are inked and pressed onto paper to leave an impression.
• Digital - An image printed directly from a digital file onto materials such as paper or fabric using ink or toner.
• Engraving - Made by carving lines into a metal plate and transferring the ink from those lines onto paper to create a print.

Shape and Orientation

Your RSVPs can either be horizontal or vertical, and feel free to go off-script from the orientation of your wedding invite.

RSVP Timeline Best Practices

When Should Guests RSVP to a Wedding?

It’s standard etiquette to ask guests to RSVP to your wedding around one month before your wedding date. Anything less than four weeks, and you run the risk of not getting an accurate headcount in time to meet vendor deadlines (such as meal counts and seating arrangements) to properly prepare for your event.

You will have guests who don’t RSVP by your deadline, so four weeks prior to the big day allows you some extra time to hunt down those stragglers that have not yet replied. Read more about your wedding invitation etiquette timeline.

Here are a few scenarios to help determine your response cutoff date:

• Standard weddings: Mail invitations 8 weeks prior, and set an RSVP deadline for 3-4 weeks before the big day.
• Destination weddings: Mail your invites 10-12 weeks beforehand, and get a final guest count 6-8 weeks ahead of your wedding date.
• Holiday weddings: Depending on the holiday (Christmas, Thanksgiving, or cultural events), follow the same mailing and response window as with destination weddings.
• Peak season weddings: This will vary depending on the season and other things family and friends have going on. At the very least, get your final numbers at least a month ahead of time, and follow up with late responses quickly.

What Is the Standard Timeline for Wedding RSVPs?

Beyond following the wedding headcount timeline advice above, there are a few other things to take into account. At minimum, you should know the numbers three weeks before your big day.

Be sure to chat with your wedding vendors about when they need a final guest count. While this won't impact your dress fitting or first dance song, how many attendees will factor into your catering numbers, the size of your cake, and venue setup.

If your caterer is especially busy or you want to order a food that's out-of-season in your area, you may have to give a guest count earlier than expected. When you meet with potential wedding pros, ask about their specific wedding vendor headcount requirements.

Adding a bit of buffer time to account for non-responders and following up with them is a smart idea. Give yourself an extra week for RSVP follow-up to nail down that final headcount. When on a tight timeline, talk to your specific vendors about what type of leeway they have if more or less folks show up.

Following Up on RSVPs

How to handle guests who RSVP late?

Well, no one likes prodding folks who have forgotten to RSVP, but that's also where the Zola wedding RSVP system can truly help. By utilizing guest tracking, you can easily keep track of who has responded and who hasn't with the wedding guest management system. Of course, a low response rate can be discouraging, so sending a reminder can help those answers roll in.

When to start chasing RSVPs?

A few days before the deadline, send a reminder email to those who haven't responded, and hopefully their "yes" or "no" will swiftly come into your Zola RSVP tracking. If they still haven't responded, send a second reminder a day or two after the deadline.

When that fails, reach out personally, especially if it's a close family member or friend. It's possible that they didn't receive the reminders or even the invitation itself, so be kind when reaching out.

How long should guests have to RSVP?

Based on the advice above, guests will have at least a month to decide whether or not they can make it. The type of wedding you're having and the time of year will impact your digital RSVP timing. If you're asking, "How do I ensure everyone responds by the deadline?" keep reading on so you can communicate the RSVP deadline importance effectively.

Timeline Tips on Following up With Non-responders

• One week before RSVP due date: Send a gentle reminder using the Zola wedding website RSVP feature.
• The day after the due date: Email another reminder through your wedding site's guest management system.
• One week after the response date: Have someone reach out personally to the guest. Choose someone they are close to—say, you, your parents or partner—and have them follow up.

Sample Templates for Follow-up Messages

• Week prior email reminder: Hi! We're excited about our big day and hope you can make it. We just wanted to send a quick reminder that our RSVP deadline is approaching.
• Day after email reminder: Dear [guest name], We just wanted to send a reminder that our response deadline has passed, but we'd love for you to join us. Please let us know by [insert date] so that we can save a slice of cake for you!
• Text reminder: [Guest name], hi! We haven't heard whether or not you can make it to our wedding on [insert date/time], and we really hope you can attend. Feel free to let me know via text or RSVP on our website [insert site address]. Thank you so much!
• Phone reminder: [Intro pleasantries, such as asking how they are doing] I just wanted to follow up about whether or not you can make it to our wedding. We'd love to have you!

Why RSVP Timing Matters

• Digital responses save time: Zola digital wedding RSVPs are a great way to collect responses quickly. The time it takes to mail back response cards is eliminated, plus you won't have to input guest responses yourself. So you can save time right away.
• Vendors rely on guest counts: Beyond meal counts, cake size, and venue arrangement, there are other areas that are impacted by guest count. The number of centerpieces, amount of favors, and bar service all rely on a firm number.
• Having numbers early relieves stress: Setting your RSVP timeline early helps ease your mind so that you can stay on track with wedding planning.
• Early RSVPs allows for buffer time: Unfortunately, some guests will forget to RSVP or respond late no matter how much time they have. Adding in a bit of buffer space accounts for the time you'll spend chasing RSVPs.

Demystifying the RSVP M Line

While sometimes traditional wedding customs seem common, there are modern alternatives and Zola options to consider. Because getting married has been around for a long time, wedding etiquette often has nuances surrounding RSVP protocol and invitation suites. Use the Zola guidance below to help navigate whether or not you need (or want!) an M line on your response cards.

What Does the M Mean on a Wedding RSVP?

You’ve probably seen wedding RSVP cards that include an uppercase letter “M” at the beginning of the guest name line and wondered, “why is this M here?” Since only a fraction of the world has a name that begins with M, it’s universal inclusion might be puzzling. But in fact, this piece of wedding invitation etiquette seems much more complex and mysterious than it really is for a wedding reply card.

For formal RSVP wording on invitations, the M line meaning—where guests are expected to write their names—begins with an “M” to indicate that the guest(s) should include the proper courtesy title before his or her name(s): Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss. Think of it like a little jumpstart in formal addressing.

How Did the M on Wedding Invitations Originate?

• RSVP, is French for "Répondez s'il vous plaît" (Please respond). The term originated in 18th-century France.
• Initially, respondents would write a full reply on their own stationery, with the RSVP appearing on the invitation itself.
• The M line emerged later, as a more streamlined way for guests to provide their title and name for RSVP card etiquette.
• The M on wedding invitations reflected the importance placed on titles and social standing in formal settings.
• Today, the M before a name on an RSVP is predominantly a Western/American tradition and may not be familiar to people from all cultural backgrounds.

Common M Line Meaning Questions

Do I need to include the M on my RSVP cards?

No, the wedding response card M isn't essential.

What are alternatives to using the M on RSVP cards?

Instead of M underscore on wedding RVSPs, simply put "name" or "names" in its place.

What if someone fills out the M line incorrectly?

Your guests may also be asking, "What does M mean before name?" So, if they fill it out incorrectly, kindly ask them for clarification.

Is the M outdated in modern weddings?

It's not necessarily out of style for an M to appear on wedding invitation response cards, but it can be associated with more formal events. Feel free to skip it if it will cause confusion for guests.

How should guests with professional titles (Dr., Rev., etc.) use the M line?

If they prefer for their title to be used, they will typically indicate that on the M line or name area of the RSVP card. The same also applies to handling non-traditional titles or credentials (military ranks, etc.)

How should non-binary guests or same-sex couples using the M line?

Again, they can fill it out according to their preferences. Terms like Mr. and Mr. or Mx. may come into your mailbox.

How to handle the M line for digital/online RSVPs?

Since their names will be put into the system, they won't have to deal with an M line.

FAQ About Coordinating RSVP Cards & Wedding Stationery Sets

When should I order my wedding RSVP cards?

Order response cards when you order your invitations to keep things coordinated and make sure all the invitation components are ready to mail together. Every wedding invitation design on Zola has matching RSVP cards that you can easily customize and add onto your order. Depending on your wedding planning timeline, you should order these six-to-eight months before the big day.

What's the most budget-friendly RSVP approach?

Digital is always kinder to your wedding budget.

What's included in a complete wedding stationery package?

A typical wedding invitation suite includes the invitation, inner envelope, and outer envelope. From there, you can order a details card, other enclosure cards, and extras, such as a vellum jacket. Because these sets are customizeable, it's up to you what parts and pieces you order for your special day.

Does my response card have to match my invitation suite?

Design-wise, your RSVP card should match your wedding invitation set. However, the invitation is the star of the show, so feel fee to upgrade your invitations with letterpress and foil and skip those elements or reduce the paper quality slightly (say moving from triple-thick paper weight to cardstock).

How long does it take to assemble an invitation suite?

Depending on the detail of your wedding invitations—say, the number of enclosure cards and whether you have vellum sheets, belly bands, or stickers—it can take two to three minutes per suite. Allow yourself a bit of time to get into a flow, and also enlist the help of others to form an assembly line, especially if you have a lot of invites to mail.

What information is essential to collect regardless of RSVP method?

Your goal for collecting RSVPs is to find out how many guests are attending your wedding. Using your Zola dashboard for RSVP management also allows you to get necessary information, such as meal choice, plus ones, and accessibility needs or special requests.

What are the security considerations for online RSVPs?

Zola uses several security measures to protect your wedding website information. However, there are a few things you can do, too, such as password protect your site, and report anything suspicious to Zola.

When should I follow up with my guests if they didn't RSVP?

Talk to your caterer and venue about when they'll need a final guest count. Because of the setup of tables and chairs and food ordering, this headcount is typically due two to four weeks beforehand. Feel free to send a reminder to guests a week or two before the final date, and if the RSVP tracking still shows they haven't responded, send one last query the day after your RSVPs are due.

How far in advance should I order my wedding stationery?

The recommended timeframe is six to eight weeks or 10 to 12 weeks for a destination event.

Will older guests respond to digital RSVPs?

Sometimes older generations have trouble with digital methods, or they simply haven't adjusted to the more casual feeling of the web. When in doubt, just give them a call or have someone close to them help them RSVP.

When is it too late to RSVP to a wedding?

Typically, two weeks before the big day is a firm cutoff. However, you can add a bit of leeway with your vendors to account for late RSVPs, but you'll have to pay for no-shows. Also, if you're a guest who is RSVPing late, be gracious and ask—don't expect—if you can still attend.

How do I handle RSVPs for international guests?

For guests overseas, having a digital option is best, especially because international mail can take a while.

Zola: Your Destination for Wedding RSVP Cards and Invitation Suites

Looking for more inspiration? The experts at Zola have compiled some of their favorite looks within our own collection of wedding invitation suites.

Check out 10 different designs below!

1. Josette

If you're searching for an element of fun, the timeline-centric Josette is the ideal choice, especially for a wedding weekend event.

Josette Wedding Invitation Suite, from $1.99 each

2. Caleania

Whether hosting a seaside event or love the appeal of classic blue, the Caleania is a stunner.

Caleania Wedding Invite Set, from $1.99 each

3. Reagan

Handmade lovers will love the artsy, yet classy vibe of the watercolor design of the Reagan invites.

Reagan Wedding Invitation Package, from $1.99 each

4. Asher

If you're obsessing over your engagement photos or eloped and are renewing your vows in front of family and friends, the picture-centric Asher is a great fit.

Asher Wedding Invitation Set, from $1.99 each

5. Hartington

You—and your names—can take center stage in this casual Hartington invitation set. No one will forget whose big day it is.

Hartington Invitation Suite, from $1.99 each

6. Allegra

It's hip to be square—especially with your wedding stationery! The Allegra has a lovely greenery feel all contained within a square.

Allegra Square Wedding Invites, from $2.49 each

7. Edera

Give your guests a trifecta of uniqueness with the bold darkness, vivid foil accents, and landscape orientation of the Edera. Classic with a twist.

Edera Landscape Wedding Invitations with Foil, from $2.49 each

8. Davies

Give the luxe experience of giving a letterpress invitation to your guests. The artsy vibe of the Art Deco design of the Davies will set the tone of your event.

Davies Frame Letterpress Invitations, from $4.49 each

9. Tropea

Orange you glad you're getting married? Ok, excuse the pun, but with the bright, sunny uniqueness of the Tropea's citrus invitations, we couldn't resist.

Tropea Wedding Invitation Set, from $1.99 each

10. Key West

Want to add whimsy to a toned-down event? The laid-back vibe of the Key West is absolutely charming.

Key West Landscape Wedding Stationery Set, from $1.99 each

If you're craving more inspiration, head to the invitations and paper section of Zola. There you'll find tons of different designs to reflect your vision for your big day! You'll find lots of Zola solutions to help with RSVP management to relieve wedding planning stress.