Wedding RSVP Card Wording: Examples & Etiquette Guide
RSVP cards feel like the simplest part of your invitation suite — until you sit down to actually write one. Here's everything worth knowing, with examples you can copy directly.
What Every RSVP Card Needs
Regardless of style, a good RSVP card covers four things:
- A name field for your guest to fill in
- A response line (attending / not attending)
- A clear deadline
- A way to actually respond — a return address, a QR code, or a website link
Traditional Wording
M __________________
Accepts with pleasure
Declines with regrets
Kindly reply by the 1st of May
The underscored "M" is a classic etiquette shortcut — it prompts guests to fill in "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", "Mx." or "Dr." followed by their name. If that feels too fussy for your wedding, a plain "Name(s):" field works just as well.
Modern Wording
Name: __________________
[ ] Joyfully accepts
[ ] Regretfully declines
Please respond by 1st May
Casual Wording
We'll be there! [ ]
Sadly, can't make it [ ]
Let us know by 1st May
Setting Your Deadline
Aim for an RSVP deadline 3–4 weeks before the wedding. That leaves you enough time to chase down anyone who hasn't replied before handing final numbers to your caterer, who'll typically want them about two weeks out.
Optional Extras
Only add meal choice, dietary requirements, or a song request field if you genuinely need that information — extra fields mean extra friction, and fewer completed cards.
QR Codes Are Increasingly the Norm
Many couples are skipping paper RSVP cards altogether in favour of a QR code linking to an online form — faster for guests, easier for you to track. If you want the best of both, a printed card with a QR code covers everyone.
Explore our RSVP card templates — including QR code versions — all editable in Canva so you can match them to your invitation suite.