Posted on January 31, 2017 at 7:00 AM
For accurate reception planning, response cards are essential. The cards are printed with the date to respond by, a line for guests to fill in their names, an area for guests to indicate if they will be attending the wedding reception or not, and if necessary, entrée selections. All I Do!'s response cards include envelopes printed with your return address on them in the price. Both the response card and envelope (with a stamp that you put on the envelope before you send to your guests) are enclosed with your invitation when you send them out. Guests return cards in the self-addressed, stamped envelopes, giving you the information you need to continue your planning. Information necessary on the Response Card
1. RSVP date.
This date needs to be at least one month after the date you send out your invitations and usually 2 or 3 weeks before the wedding so you can give your caterers the final numbers and that you can work on your seating chart. It is acceptable to use just the date or to include the year. RSVP by the fifteenth of May The favor of a reply is requested by May 15, 2021 Please respond by May 15th Kindly reply by May 15th Your reply is requested by May 15, 2021 The courtesy of a reply is requested on or before May 15, 2021 Please respond on or before May 15, 2021 Kindly respond on or before May 15, 2021 The favor of a reply is requested on or before May 15, 2021
2. You need a space for your guests to write in their names so you know who is attending your wedding.
Traditionally, this is done by writing "M" and a line. The guests would write r. and Mrs. John Doe. The "r" finishes the Mr. Alternatively, you can write "Name" or "Name(s)" and a line. M________________________________ Name_____________________________ Names_____________________________ You can add a line under the names asking how many people are attending. M____________________________ Number of persons______________ M____________________________ Persons attending________________
3. You need a space for "Accept" or "Decline" The "accept" and "decline" wording is one spot on the Response Card where you can have fun and get creative.
Here are some ideas to fit your wedding.
Traditional wording
Accepts with Pleasure Declines with Regrets
Delighted to Attend Regretfully Cannot Join You
Graciously accept Respectfully decline
Joyfully accepts Regretfully declines
Accepts Regrets
Delightfully accepts Regretfully declines
So joyful to attend! Can't attend, sending joy your way
Would be delighted to accept Must regretfully decline
With bells on Will be thinking of you
Graciously Accepts _____ of ______ guests Regretfully Declines
Contemporary wording
Are pleased to join you Regretfully cannot attend
Happily accepts Cannot attend
Will be joining the celebration Will be unable to attend
Can't wait to celebrate Best wishes from afar
Can't Wait! Sorry, Wish I Could Be There
We Will See You There! Sorry To Miss Out
Excited to Celebrate with You! Sad to Miss All the Fun
I/We wouldn't miss it I/We can't make it
See you there! Sincerely regrets
Look forward to it! Have to miss the fun
Delighted to attend Sorry, can't make it
Wouldn't miss it for the world Be there in Spirit
Don't despair we will be there Sad to say we'll miss this day
Looking forward to attending Sadly have to miss it
Will celebrate in person Will celebrate in spirit
Will come for sure! Sorry, can't make it
Love to, and will Love to, but can't
Wouldn't dare to miss it! Won't be able to attend, but wish you the very best!
Shall be pleased to accept Unable to accept
Would love to come! Can't make it, sending our love
Wouldn't miss it for the world! Sending our love
Looking forward to the big day Regretfully cannot attend
Funny & Clever wording
Wouldn't Miss It For the World The World is Not Enough
Let's Get Rowdy! Show Must Go On Without Me
Aw, Yeah! Drinks on Me! I'll Be There In Spirit Free booze?
Yes, please In a nutshell I'm lame Yes we'd love to! Sorry, gone fishing
Will eat, drink, and see you be married! Will regretfully decline
Ready to party Can't come
Count me in Count me out
Let the good times roll! Roll on without me
So happy So sad
Hell yes! Oh no!
Be there Be square
Can't wait to party! Unfortunately can't join in
Deal me in Sitting out
Can't wait to party! Bummer! Can't make it
Will see you there! Raising a toast from afar
Good news, we'll be there Bad news; can't make it
Can't wait to be there Party on without us
Let's get the party started! Show must go on without me
Yes! See you there! Sorry! Love to but can't
Can't wait! Can't come!
Can't wait! Can't make it
Heck yes, can't wait to see you there Sadly no, but we have a good excuse Totally Bummer
Can't wait to be there Party on without us
Can't wait to party Bummer! Can't make it
We will see you there Sorry to miss it
Ready to dance Sorry my dance card is full
Let the good times roll Roll on without me
Destination Wedding wording
Bags Packed, Ready to Go! Hate to Say Can't Make It
Our sails are set we'll be there! Sorry, we will be docked somewhere else that day
Yes! Ready & set Sorry, with regrets Wouldn't miss it for the world!
Sending our love My bags are packed Can't find my passport
Sunscreen is packed Toasting from afar
4. Entrée preference. (If you are serving a buffet, you can skip #4.)
If you are serving a plated meal with more than one entrée option, you will need a space for your guests to indicate which meal they would like.
You can list your options and have your guest initial which entrée they are each selecting.
Please initial the Entrée choice for each guest: _____ Entrée Selection _____ Entrée Selection _____ Entrée Selection
You can list your options and have your guests place a number of how many of each entrée they are selecting.
Please indicate number of each Entrée Selection _____ Entrée Selection _____ If you are offer children's meals. _____ Entrée _____ Entrée _____ Entrée All children under X will receive a special meal