How to Fill Out a Wedding RSVP Card: DO’s and DONT’s

You’re invited to a wedding! But there’s one thing to do before picking out the wedding guest dress to wear: fill out your rsvp card.

For many guests, completing a card feels like a chore. In reality, it’s pretty easy to do.

In this blog post, you’ll learn the correct way to fill out a wedding RSVP card — beginning with what NOT to do.

What NOT to Do When Filling Out a Response Card

DON’T use a pencil.

A pencil may rub off in transit and it is too hard to read. Make it easy on the couple and use a pen!

DON’T miss the RSVP date.

Don’t be late sending in the card. The date is clearly labeled on the RSVP card for one reason: that’s when the couple needs a headcount to let the caterer know. This date is important, so do your best to get the card back ASAP.

DON’T respond if you’re unsure if you can attend.

It is best to wait a full week upon receiving the RSVP card before filling it out and sending it in. Get your calendar figured out, make sure you can attend, and decide on what entree to choose: yum!

Now that you know what NOT to do, here’s how to fill out a wedding rsvp card properly… and the answer to what is the “m” on an rsvp card. :)

How to Fill Out Wedding RSVP

Before you get started, look at your calendar and be sure you are attending. If it is an adult-only wedding and you have children, arrange for babysitting before you respond to the invitation. If you want to find a date before the big day, you may wish to wait and find out if they can attend before you fill out the “plus one”.

In most cases, you’ll simply want to make sure you’re available and then go ahead and fill out the rsvp card.

Your card may look something like this:

There are three things to fill out on every wedding RSVP card, plus three bonus options that may be added to it.

Indicate your names on the card. You would be surprised how many guests do not write their name on an RSVP card and it creates a lot of confusion for the happy couple, trying to track down who sent it.

Your names go on the line of the card. It is often a long blank line, like this: _____________.

Sometimes, it will have an “m” in front of the line, like this: M________________________.

Here’s what that “m” means on an rsvp card.

What is an “m” on an rsvp card?

That strange m with a long line after is for your official title. This is where you’ll write your names:

M____________________

becomes

Mr. James and Mrs. Pamela Halpert

when you write it in.

Some cards don’t have an “M” in front of the line. It’s simply a line.

That is where you write your names in full, with all guests who are attending.

______________________

becomes

Mr. James and Mrs. Pamela Halpert

If kids are attending, here’s how you’ll fill out the RSVP card:

______________________

becomes

Mr. James and Mrs. Pamela Halpert, Ceci and Philip

Can you make it? There will be a box on the card or a blank space to indicate if you can or cannot attend.

You will check the box OR make an X on the line for your selection.

• Accepts? Yes, you’ll be there!

• Regrets? No, unfortunately, you cannot attend.

This may seem redundant, but there is often a blank line with “total number of guests” and you add everyone up and write the numeral on the line. If this is omitted on the card, be sure you have included all guests written out on the blank line, as discussed in #1 above.

If you are given the choice of a meal, this is where you’ll fill it out on the RSVP card.

Instead of a simple checkmark on the entree you choose, you will want to initial the line so your host knows who to serve each meal.

For instance, your meal options may look like this on an RSVP card:

As you can see on this card example, it states: Please initial each guest’s entrée selection.

To fill it out, here’s an example:

This becomes:

James is having the filet mignon; Pam is having the grouper.

If you both want the same meal, it will look like this:

Remember to write clearly here: this is an important selection! Not only does it impact what your meal is, but the couple copies the cards onto their guest list and provides this info to the caterer, so make sure it is easy to read and accurate before mailing it back.

Wedding RSVP Cards Without Meal Choice

If the wedding will be buffet or family style, there may not be a meal choice option on the card. This is OK: there won’t be any space for it, so you’ll be skipping that portion of the instructions.

If you have allergies, you can write them on the card OR contact the host by phone to discuss.

Note: this is for an allergy, not for special preferences like extra shrimp on the side or a drizzle of olive oil on your side salad. ;)

If there is ample space to write a little note, couples love to read it! I always toss in something like, “Can’t wait!!!” or “Looking forward to the fun!” or something similar. The soon-to-be weds read these cards, so little notes of joy are always appreciated.

Now, what if the couple goes digital with online RSVPs? No problem: here’s how to fill out a wedding response card online.

If the couple decides to RSVP online instead of the traditional card by mail, here’s how to fill it out.

1. Scan the QR code.

First, you’ll scan the QR code on the rsvp card with your Smartphone and it will take you to their wedding website. Once you are on the website, it will ask you to type in or enter your names and whether you “accept” or “regret”; then, you may enter your entree selection online.

How can you tell the difference between a traditional RSVP card and an online one? It’s easy: an online RSVP card will be missing the “M___________” line and “accepts / regrets” options on the card; it will still include the date by which to respond. The card enclosure may look something like this:

It is not returned via mail but completed online instead. Some RSVP cards will provide a “text” back number in case some guests are not tech-savvy.

The card may not necessarily have a QR code to scan. If not, it will look like this example below: you’ll simply type in the wedding website URL address on your smartphone or computer instead.

Once you are on the website, you will follow the prompts to submit your online RSVP. It’s easy!

And there you have it! As you can see, it’s pretty painless to complete an RSVP card. There’s just one thing left to do: put the card in the mailbox!

• No postage? The couple should include a postage stamp for a speedy return, but if not, you’ll want to affix a standard postage stamp to the corner of the envelope.

• No envelope? If it’s a postcard RSVP, even better: you’ll add a postcard stamp, which costs less. You don’t even need an envelope!

Place the RSVP card in the mail and send it on its merry way.

Now it’s time to get ready for that wedding: here are some of the best wedding guest dresses to wear — and don’t forget these ultra comfortable wedding guest shoes!

xo
Emma

This is a sponsored post.