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Wedding RSVP wording examples.
Save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, plus-one prompts, dietary-tag questions, reminder emails — every wording you'll need to ask for an RSVP, in formal and casual variants. Copy, paste, adjust the names.
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01 · Save-the-date wording
Send 6-8 months before the wedding.
Save-the-dates are an early heads-up — formal invitations come later. Keep them short: names, date, city, 'invitation to follow', and your website URL so people can save the date and start planning travel.
Formal
Save the date. Jamie & Sam · June 14, 2026 · Charleston, SC · Formal invitation to follow · loml.wedding/jamie-sam
Casual
Save the date! We're getting married 🤍 Jamie + Sam · 6/14/26 · Charleston · jamieandsam.com
Destination
Pack your bags. Jamie & Sam · June 14, 2026 · Tulum, Mexico · Travel info + invitation to follow · loml.wedding/jamie-sam
Digital-only
Subject: Save the date — Jamie + Sam · June 14, 2026. Body: Charleston, SC. RSVP details to follow on jamieandsam.com
02 · Invitation wording
Send 8-10 weeks before the wedding.
The formal ask. Include who's inviting, the names of the couple, the date, time, ceremony venue, reception line, and the RSVP method + deadline. Plus-one language goes on the inner envelope or the RSVP card itself.
Formal (hosted by parents)
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Simpson request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Kate Johnson to Joe Simpson · Saturday, the fourteenth of June, two thousand twenty-six · at four o'clock in the afternoon · Magnolia Plantation · Charleston, South Carolina
Modern (hosted by couple)
Together with their families, Kate Johnson and Joe Simpson invite you to celebrate their marriage · Saturday, June 14, 2026 · 4:00 in the afternoon · Magnolia Plantation · Charleston, SC · Reception to follow
Casual
We're getting married! Join us · Kate + Joe · June 14, 2026 at 4pm · Magnolia Plantation, Charleston · Dinner + dancing after
With dress code
Add a small line below the address: 'Cocktail attire' / 'Black tie optional' / 'Garden formal' / 'Beach casual'
03 · RSVP card wording
Online + paper variants.
Modern weddings collect RSVPs online (faster, more accurate, dietary tags surface where they need to). Paper RSVPs still work but require a self-addressed stamped envelope and manual tracking. Either way, set a clear deadline.
Online RSVP (recommended)
Kindly respond by May 14, 2026 · jamieandsam.com/rsvp · Your invitation includes a personal link
Paper RSVP card
M ____________ · ☐ joyfully accepts · ☐ regretfully declines · Meal preference: ☐ Chicken · ☐ Fish · ☐ Vegetarian · Kindly respond by May 14, 2026
RSVP deadline phrasing
Formal: 'The favor of a reply is requested by...' · Casual: 'Please let us know by...' · Modern: 'RSVP by May 14'
Online + paper together
Add at the bottom of the invitation: 'RSVP at jamieandsam.com/rsvp or use the enclosed card · by May 14'
04 · Plus-one wording
Be clear so guests aren't.
Plus-one ambiguity is the #1 cause of headcount surprises. State your policy on the invitation or RSVP card directly. Vague language ('and family') gets interpreted generously.
- Inviting a plus-one: address the outer envelope to 'Mr. Sam Lee and Guest' OR add a line to the RSVP: 'Bringing a plus-one? ☐ Yes ☐ No'
- Not inviting one: address to 'Mr. Sam Lee' only. Don't write 'and guest'. If asked, explain you have a 'no plus-ones' policy.
- Inviting kids: 'We have reserved __ seats in your honor.' Specifies exactly how many.
- Online RSVP: ask explicitly — 'Are you bringing a plus-one?' with a name field if yes
05 · Dietary tags + special requests
Ask once. Surface everywhere.
Collect dietary preferences on the RSVP itself — catering needs the count 1-2 weeks pre-wedding. Use checkboxes for the common cases, free text for the unusual ones.
Checkbox tags
☐ Vegetarian · ☐ Vegan · ☐ Gluten-free · ☐ Dairy-free · ☐ Nut allergy · ☐ Shellfish allergy
Free-text fallback
'Anything else we should know about your meal?' — for kosher, halal, FODMAP, etc.
Song request line
Optional: 'A song that'll get you on the dance floor?' — exports to your DJ as a CSV
Note to couple
Optional: 'Anything you'd like us to know?' — heartwarming inbox at scale
06 · Reminder + thank-you wording
After the RSVP deadline passes.
2 weeks after invitations go out, send a reminder to anyone who hasn't responded. Keep it warm and short. After the wedding, the thank-you wording matters more than the timing — but aim for within 3 months.
- Reminder email: 'Hi [name] — we're finalizing the headcount this week and noticed we hadn't heard from you yet. Can you let us know either way? jamieandsam.com/rsvp · Means a lot.'
- Reminder SMS: 'Hey [name]! Quick reminder — RSVP for our wedding by Friday? jamieandsam.com/rsvp 💍'
- Thank-you note: 'Dear [name], thank you so much for celebrating with us / for your generous gift. [Specific memory or use for the gift]. With love, Kate + Joe'
- Digital thank-you: same tone, sent via email through your wedding website's guest list
Common questions
The short version.
How far in advance should I send invitations?
8-10 weeks before the wedding. Set the RSVP deadline 2-3 weeks before the wedding so you have buffer for late responders and a final headcount for catering.
How do I word a 'no plus-ones' invitation politely?
Address the outer envelope to the invited person only (not 'and Guest'). If asked directly, explain you have a 'no plus-ones' policy to keep the wedding intimate. Most guests understand.
Should I do online RSVPs or paper RSVP cards?
Online RSVPs are faster, more accurate, and route dietary tags + plus-one info directly into your guest list. Paper still works for traditional weddings but requires a self-addressed stamped envelope and manual tracking.
How do I ask about dietary preferences without it being weird?
Use a simple checkbox list on the RSVP: 'Any dietary preferences? ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten-free ☐ Allergies (free text)'. Guests appreciate that you asked.
What if my wedding is hosted by both families?
Use a 'Together with their families' opening: 'Together with their families, Kate Johnson and Joe Simpson invite you...' — covers both sets of parents without specifying.
When should I send reminders to non-responders?
2 weeks after the RSVP deadline passes. One reminder only — more feels like nagging. Keep it warm and short.
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