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Should I Take My RSVP Wedding Cards Online?
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An Online RSVP Could Save You a Game-changing Amount of Money & Time
When planning our wedding, we were faced with many digital over physical dilemmas. Thankfully, the actual big day itself wasn't one of them, and we didn't need to consider hosting our wedding over Zoom! But there were numerous planning moments that made us wonder whether traditional was the right path for us. Should we be hashing out our seating plan on a giant sheet of paper, or would an online tool be more convenient and easier to navigate? Would a pre-formatted online budget template help us better keep on top of finances over starting from scratch with pen and paper? And most notably, should we be using online RSVP wedding cards instead of mailing them out?
Of all the wedding planning decisions we had to make, choosing to use online wedding invites, and digital response cards was by far the best. Not only did we save a lot of money on wedding stationery and postage, but we also saved a ton of time. When we think of our friends and family members who picked the traditional route of mailing invitations, and requesting that guests send back their little RSVP postcards in the post - our responses were lighting fast! We couldn't believe how quickly we were seat planning RSVP'd guests, and confirming the final head count with our wedding reception venue.
There were certainly invited guests who needed a little longer than our RSVP deadline to reply, but their lives often required extra planning. Their response time and experience using our wedding website certainly wasn't the reason a few extra days were needed. In fact, their busy lives were aided by our online RSVP card, as they could easily confirm when it was convenient for them.
Our experience planning a wedding both online and offline inspired us to create a suite of tools to help other couples (and professionals) plan their big day. From seating chart makers and budget calculators, to guest list organizers and wedding website builders. We have created almost everything you'll need to plan a wedding online. And you want to know the best part? It's all free! Yes, everything you'll find on our site is completely free-to-use, with no sign up required.
Let's Explore Wedding RSVP Cards
Before we dive into the benefits of taking wedding RSVPs online, let's understand a few fundamentals about RSVPs.
RSVP Meaning in a Wedding Card
RSVP is one of those abbreviations a lot of us think we know the meaning of, but aren't 100% sure. If you fall into that category, you're about to learn a little useful fact that'll certainly impress a few of your friends and family.
RSVP literally means 'respond if you please,' or 'please respond' for short. And this phrase is used not just to confirm attendance at weddings, but also birthday's, anniversaries and work events. But the abbreviation isn't a shortened version of the English, 'respond if you please', it's actually short for the French phrase, 'Répondez s'il vous plaît'. Which sounds a lot more fancy and polite than the English translation!
How Do You Write RSVP Correctly?
If you love the sound of the French phrase, rather than the acronym, then feel free to use it in your invitations, as long as it's clear what you mean. On the other hand, if you prefer the abbreviation, there's a lot of flexibility in how it's written. All the following are correct: R.S.V.P., RSVP, R.s.v.p, and r.s.v.p. You'll likely find that dictionaries don't use the periods (full stops), but there's no reason why you can't.
- Send Wedding Invitations - 6–8 weeks before the wedding.
- RSVP Deadline: 3–4 weeks before the wedding.
- Chase Missing RSVPs: 1–2 weeks after the RSVP deadline.
- Final Headcount for Vendors: 1–2 weeks before the wedding (unless you're told otherwise).
Get Started with Online RSVPs
PLANNING . WEDDING — is easy to remember and even easier to use.
- An Online RSVP Could Save You a Game-changing Amount of Money & Time
- Let's Explore Wedding RSVP Cards
- RSVP Meaning in a Wedding Card
- How Do You Write RSVP Correctly?
- When Should Wedding RSVPs Be Due?
- Wedding RSVP Date Calculator
- Wedding RSVP Card Examples
- Formal RSVP Postcard
- Casual RSVP Card
- Funny Response Card
- Cheap Wedding Invitations with RSVP are Not Worth the Budget
- Start Building Your RSVP Card Online Today!
When Should Wedding RSVPs Be Due?
Setting a clear and realistic deadline for RSVPs is key to maintaining a smooth running journey to your wedding date. There's zero point in requesting that guests respond overnight, or in a couple of days as that will only heap stress on their shoulders, and is unlikely to receive the response you desire. Likewise, set a date too far in advance, and you'll quickly find that guests just aren't getting back to you. So when is the sweet spot?
Couples often come to us asking about wedding RSVP date calculators, wondering if there is a quick way to work out a definitive deadline. And while we could create one, the actual timing of RSVPs is pretty simple, whether they're online or not. To help you better understand your own RSVP deadline, we've put the key information below;
Set Up Your Event RSVPs Online
Wedding RSVP Date Calculator
If visualizing the RSVP deadline for your own wedding date is still proving challenging to imagine, then hopefully our breakdown below should help clarify things.
January Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-November
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-December
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late December
Final Head count for Vendors: Late December to early January
February Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-December
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-January
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late January
Final Head count for Vendors: Late January to early February
March Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-January
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-February
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late February
Final Head count for Vendors: Late February to early March
April Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-February
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-March
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late March
Final Head count for Vendors: Late March to early April
May Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-March
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-April
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late April
Final Head count for Vendors: Late April to early May
June Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-April
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-May
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late May
Final Head count for Vendors: Late May to early June
July Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-May
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-June
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late June
Final Head count for Vendors: Late June to early July
August Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-June
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-July
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late July
Final Head count for Vendors: Late July to early August
September Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-July
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-August
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late August
Final Head count for Vendors: Late August to early September
October Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-August
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-September
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late September
Final Head count for Vendors: Late September to early October
November Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-September
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-October
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late October
Final Head count for Vendors: Late October to early November
December Wedding
Send Invitations: Early to mid-October
RSVP Deadline: Early to mid-November
Follow-Up Missing RSVPs: Mid to late November
Final Head count for Vendors: Late November to early December
Wedding RSVP Card Examples
The way you word your RSVP cards should match the overall tone of the invitation suite, and be in keeping with the feel of the event itself. For instance, if you're planning a formal, black tie affair, your entire wedding stationery suite and its wording should be equally formal.
To give you a more in-depth understanding of different RSVP card styles, we have shared some examples below.
Formal RSVP Postcard
(RSVP or Répondez s'il vous plaît)
Your response is requested before July 31st.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ joyfully accept(s)
▢ regretfully decline(s)
Entrée Preference: ▢ Filet Mignon ▢ Vegetarian Moussaka
Dessert Preference: ▢ Petite Fours ▢ Mini Cheesecakes
Dress Code: Black tie
Casual RSVP Card
Please Respond
We kindly ask that you reply before September 15th.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ can't wait to celebrate
▢ unfortunately can't make it
Entrée Preference: ▢ Beef ▢ Chicken ▢ Vegetarian
Dessert Preference: ▢ Cake Pops ▢ Macarons
Funny Response Card
The favor of reply is requested
We can't get married without you! Please reply before July 15th.
Name(s) :__________________
▢ Yes, but only if there's cake
▢ Sorry, you'll have to get hitched without us
Song request:__________________
Main course choice: ▢ Meat ▢ Vegetarian
Dessert choice: ▢ Trifle ▢ Crème Brulé
As you can see, each RSVP card is distinctly different in tone, but the information requested is the same. Meal choice is an essential RSVP detail, as it greatly helps caterers to know in advance just how many of each course needs to be prepared. There are many other useful pieces of information that could be gathered when sending out RSVPs. From plus one details and transport needs, through to dietary restrictions and attendance confirmations to other events. But, fitting all of these requests on one physical piece of card can get messy, and keeping track of it all is often confusing.
Which is why online RSVPs are so beneficial. As they allow you to easily and quickly list out as many questions as you like on your form. While also gathering all the information received on your guest list automatically. Eliminating the time-consuming and error-making task of transferring handwritten information from a physical card to a spreadsheet. Allowing you to quickly see where you're up to with replies, and whether adjustments need to be made to certain parts of your special day. Perhaps there are a lot more vegans attending than you anticipated, and now you feel you should cater the event differently. Maybe less guests require transport on the day than you thought, and now you're able to scale back the booking you made.
Getting information fast, and in advance, offers limitless advantages when planning a wedding. And our online RSVP card makes that process so straightforward - and free!
Design Your Custom Online RSVPs
Cheap Wedding Invitations with RSVP are Not Worth the Budget
We understand just how expensive weddings are to plan. And if you're struggling with a tight budget, we totally get why you'd consider cutting corners on certain parts of the celebration. Cheap wedding invitation packages complete with RSVP cards and envelopes are a typical choice for those trying to save money. But in our opinion, generic, off-the-shelf invitations do not set a positive tone for guests. As it's obvious you're trying to save money, or simply aren't concerned about presentation.
A smarter solution would be to create a free wedding website (with us!) and use that as your save the date card, wedding invitation and RSVP hub! By using our builder, you'll be able to create something unique, that represents you both. While also saving a massive amount of budget on wedding stationery. Plus, we offer a complete suite of other free wedding tools that could also save you money, and keep you organized. Trust us, it's so much easier to have guests RSVP online compared to returning cards in the mail!
If you'd still like to post something to your guests, send them a save the date card with a QR code link to your wedding website. That way loved ones will still receive a memento in the mail, and you'll avoid overspending your wedding budget. While also ensuring RSVPs are received on time.
Start Building Your RSVP Card Online Today!
Ready to take your wedding RSVP cards online? We've built an entirely free and easy-to-use platform for you to create yours on. An intuitive tool that allows you to gather as much info about your guests as you desire. From plus one details and meal preferences, through to song requests and accommodation requirements. You can even pick and choose who gets asked what! Which is a game-changer when trying to arrange events before and after the big day, or attempting to limit plus ones.
Our platform has been designed with ease of use in mind, both for you as wedding planners, and your friends and family. Even older guests will find our RSVP system super straightforward to reply with, and will love checking into your wedding website to discover your latest updates.
Worried you'll miss an RSVP? Not a chance with our email notifications. Plus, you can track every response in your connected guest list. A powerful tool that ensures you're always organized and ready to tackle the next wedding planning task.
Start building your wedding website today, and discover just how powerful our free online RSVP card platform really is.
Streamline Your Wedding RSVPs
The online Wedding Planning Assistant offers an extensive set of professional tools and an RSVP manager meticulously designed to help you efficiently track and organize your guests' responses, ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated celebration.
We offer an international wedding planner service, open to all. Soon we hope to make our software available in all languages, so far, we have created versions for these languages: