RSVP wording: 60 examples for every kind of invitation

The RSVP line is the one part of an invitation guests act on. Good wording tells them three things: how to reply, by when, and who the invitation is for. Below are 60 examples by occasion, plus the tricky lines for limited guests and adults only events.

What every RSVP line needs

1. A reply-by date. A real date, not "soon".
2. How to reply: a link, a reply card, a phone number or an email.
3. Who is invited, when it is not obvious. Names on the invitation do most of this work.

Add a meal choice, song request or dietary question only if you will use the answer.

Wedding RSVP wording

Formal

1. The favour of a reply is requested by the first of June.
2. Kindly reply by May 15th.
3. Please respond by the twentieth of April.
4. We kindly request your reply by June 1st.

Casual

5. Please RSVP by June 1st so we can save you a seat.
6. Let us know you're coming by May 15th.
7. Can you make it? Reply by April 20th.
8. Say yes (or sadly no) by June 1st.

Reply card wording

Pick one pair for the accept and decline boxes.

9. Accepts with pleasure / Declines with regret
10. Joyfully accepts / Regretfully declines
11. Will attend / Will not attend
12. Wouldn't miss it / Will celebrate from afar
13. Count me in / Sadly can't make it
14. Ready to party / Will raise a glass from home

Under the boxes, leave a line for names, and add Seats reserved: 2 when you limit the count.

Wedding website RSVP wording

15. Please RSVP on our website by June 1st: [your link]
16. Reply online by May 15th at [your link].
17. RSVP, meal choices and travel details: [your link]
18. Find your name to reply. We need to hear from you by April 20th.
19. One reply per household, please. You can change it until June 1st.

Limited guests and plus-ones

The kindest way to limit a count is to state it, not explain it.

20. We have reserved 2 seats in your honour.
21. We have reserved a seat for you.
22. This invitation is for you and a guest.
23. Seats reserved: 2
24. Due to limited space, we can only accommodate those named on the invitation.
25. We are keeping our celebration small, so we can only welcome the guests named here.
26. Please let us know your guest's name by June 1st.

With a digital invitation, set the seat count per guest so the reply form only offers the seats you saved.

Adults only wording

27. We love your little ones, but this celebration is for adults only.
28. Our wedding is an adults only event. Thank you for understanding.
29. Adults only, please.
30. Please enjoy a night off: we are celebrating adults only.
31. We have reserved 2 adult seats in your honour.
32. Little ones are welcome at the ceremony. The reception is adults only.

Baby shower RSVP wording

33. Please RSVP to Maya by May 10th.
34. Kindly reply by May 10th so we can plan for food and favours.
35. Let us know you're coming by May 10th. Baby can't wait to meet you.
36. RSVP by May 10th. Diaper raffle ticket included with every pack.
37. Please reply by May 10th. Regrets only to Maya.
38. Reply by May 10th and tell us your best guess for the due date.

Birthday RSVP wording

39. Please RSVP by Saturday so we know how much cake to order.
40. RSVP to Leo's mom by June 3rd.
41. Let us know if Ava can come by June 3rd.
42. Reply by June 3rd. Parents are welcome to stay.
43. Surprise party! Please RSVP to Dan's sister, not Dan, by June 3rd.
44. Please RSVP by June 3rd. The restaurant needs a headcount.
45. RSVP by June 3rd or forever wonder what you missed.

Holiday, work and other parties

46. Please RSVP by December 5th so we can plan the food.
47. Kindly reply by December 5th. Plus-ones welcome.
48. RSVP by December 5th and tell us what you're bringing.
49. Please reply by December 5th, including any dietary needs.
50. Regrets only by December 5th.

RSVP wording in Spanish

51. Favor de confirmar su asistencia antes del 15 de mayo. (Please confirm your attendance by May 15th.)
52. Se ruega confirmar asistencia. (Kindly reply.)
53. Confirma tu asistencia antes del 1 de junio. (Casual: reply by June 1st.)
54. Hemos reservado 2 lugares en su honor. (We have reserved 2 seats in your honour.)
55. Asistiré con gusto / Lamento no poder asistir (Accepts / Declines)

Wording for late replies

Keep a nudge short, warm and specific about the new date. More in how to get guests to RSVP.

56. Hi Sam! Just checking you got our invitation. Can you let us know by Friday?
57. We would love to have you there. Could you reply by Friday so we can finalise numbers?
58. Our caterer needs a final count on Friday. Will you be joining us?
59. Quick reminder: replies close Friday. Here's your link: [your link]
60. No pressure, we just don't want to miss you. Reply here when you can.

When should the RSVP date be?

• Weddings: three to four weeks before the day. Caterers and seating charts need final numbers about two weeks out.
• Showers and dinners: one to two weeks before.
• Kids' birthdays and casual parties: about a week before.

FAQ

What does RSVP mean?

Répondez s'il vous plaît, French for "please reply". Guests should answer yes or no either way. "RSVP regrets only" means reply only if you cannot come.

Is it rude to limit plus-ones?

No. Put the guest's name, or "and guest", on the invitation and state the seats reserved. Guests read that as a decision, not an oversight.

Should the reply-by date be on the invitation?

Yes, every time. Without a date, replies drift in for weeks and you end up chasing people.

Can guests RSVP online to a formal wedding?

Yes. Online replies are normal for formal weddings now, and older guests can still call or text you.

Make replies come back on their own

Every wording above works on paper. A digital invitation removes the chasing: guests reply on the invitation itself, you see every answer in one list, and the seat count per guest is enforced for you. Paper&Seal invitations open like a real envelope with a wax seal and are free for up to 25 guests. Planning a birthday or a baby shower? Same idea. For the rest of the invitation, see digital invitation etiquette.