Post # 1
Member
6 posts
Newbee
Hello! I have been a lurker for some while and this is my first post.
I am currently working on the wording for my RSVP cards and before finalizing things I wanted to see from others which of the two formats would be better for guest to understand and for us to use. From reading many posts on here and at other sites online I am to understand that it is very hard and fustrating to get guests to rsvp correctly and by the deadline. So because of that this is what I have come up with so far:
Rsvp Card Wording # 1:
R.S.V.P
WE’D LOVE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU!<br /> THE FAVOR OF YOUR REPLY IS REQUESTED BEFORE 00/00/14
# OF SEATS HAVE BEEN RESERVED IN YOUR HONOR
ACCEPTS WITH PLEASURE DECLINES WITH REGRET
NAME PRE-FILLED 1 □ □ <br /> NAME PRE-FILLED 2 □ □
Rsvp Card Wording # 2:
R.S.V.P
WE’D LOVE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU!<br /> SIMPLY CHECK YOUR RESPONSE AND DROP IN THE MAIL NO LATER THAN 00/00/14
# SEATS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THE FOLLOWING GUEST(S): (<–debating about putting the word guest(s) here.)
ACCEPTS WITH PLEASURE DECLINES WITH REGRET<br /> NAME PRE-FILLED 1 □ □ <br /> NAME PRE-FILLED 2 □ □
So far im leaning a little more towards two as it has a clearer call to action. However, I want to know from you guys which formating is easier to understand and would help increase the chances of a response in general. I also want to know if there are any loop holes in which it can open up misinterpretation of exactly what is being asked.
I understand that nothing is fool proof and that guests still may not respond anyway but I wanted to at least try to make it a little better and less stressful process.
Thank you!
Post # 2
Member
985 posts
Busy bee
NouveauDeco: typically wording number 1 is the norm, especially if you are having a formal affair and super concerned w etiquette. You can go with number 2 but I think everyone understands what number 1 means. People may not send them in on time no matter how direct your wording is. With that said, I voted for number 1.
Oh and welcome to the hive !! Happy planning.
Post # 3
Member
510 posts
Busy bee
People who don’t reply tend to understand that they’re supposed to — they just don’t do it. Number two almost sounds a little threatening to me, haha. I’d say go with number one.
Post # 4
Member
4808 posts
Honey bee
NouveauDeco: My vote is for #1 also. No matter what the wording you will most likely have non- responders as well as guest-invited guests, so be prepared on both counts. 🙂
Post # 5
Member
315 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Contemporary Art Center of Peoria
I vote one. Two sounds a little info-mercial-ly.
Post # 6
Member
4038 posts
Honey bee
My daughter added a line, to the bottom of her RSVP/information card (responses were primarily received through their Knot website.) It read “for special dietary concerns and late responses, please e-mail us at [email protected].” Out of 250 guests, 248 responded – and all of those were at least 10 days before the due date. We were astounded, because we’ve heard that trying to get responses out of people was like pulling teeth.
Post # 7
Member
6 posts
Newbee
Thank you for your repsonses!
PABride I like the idea of adding the email at the bottom for late responses.
Post # 8
Member
1644 posts
Bumble bee
I did #1 and had nary a problem, of my 50 guests, no one added anyone extra or uninvited and when it did happen once it was a special circumstance (car trouble). #2 is a little too much
Post # 9
Member
4519 posts
Honey bee
I think people will understand either of those, but I prefer #1
We’re using stickers, hopefully people will understand and comply
Post # 10
Member
6 posts
Newbee
Just curious
If doing wording #1 would it be ok to use the “# seats have been reserved for the following:” line in place of the reserved for your honour line? It seems like the original line from rsvp#1/the norm, opens up the floor for guest to think that spots are interchangeable if one person can’t attend. I rather not have random best bud who we dont even know, who doesnt know us, and who doesn’t really care about us come eat, drink, and be merry on us.
Post # 11
Member
512 posts
Busy bee
so you’re manually putting each guest’s name on the RSVP so they don’t have to even write their names? it sounds nice, but sounds like a lot more work for you and what do you do about +1s that you may not be sure who they’ll bring? or worse, if you pre-fill a boyfriend/girlfriend’s name and they break up before you mail the invites… i’ve never seen or heard of them pre-filled! either way, my vote is for #1, i find #2 condescending and the ppl who dont respond still wont respond.
for what it’s worth, i was going to do “x seats in your honour” but changed it to a line under “accepts with pleasure” that said “__ of 2 guests attending” (and i had wrote in the 2, 3, 4, whatever number ppl we were inviting/reserving seats for). hope that helps!
Post # 12
Member
6 posts
Newbee
I don’t mind doing the work if it means somewhat detering people from taking advatage of the invite for thier own personal opinion/wishes upon our wedding.
After going through our wording for everything for the rsvps we decided upon the following wording in two card formats:
Rsvp Card For Format #1:
R.S.V.P
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU.
<br /> PLEASE RESPOND BEFORE
THE 17<sup>TH</sup> OF OCTOBER
WE HAVE RESERVED ___ SEATS IN THE HONOR OF:
ACCEPTS DECLINES
_________________________ □ □ <br /> _________________________ □ □
Rsvp Card For Format #2:
R.S.V.P
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU.
<br /> PLEASE RESPOND BEFORE
THE 17<sup>TH</sup> OF OCTOBER
WE HAVE RESERVED ___ SEAT IN THE HONOR OF:
ACCEPTS DECLINES
_________________________ □ □ <br />
The rsvp card will be black with ivory blocks for us to write in for names, seats reserved, and for guest to say accepts or declines. The back of the card has a black and gold art deco pattern on it with our logo. Space to do anything other than check accepts or decline is limited, unless they include a separate stationary to use, which will be handled individually if they do.