In short: the RSVP lines guests answer fastest give a clear deadline, one reason to reply now, and a tone that matches the wedding. Set the deadline three weeks before you truly need the numbers, and ask only for what you will use: attendance, the number of guests and dietary needs.
An RSVP that gets answered has three things: a clear deadline, a reason to answer now, and a tone that matches the wedding. Here are twenty-seven lines, sorted by tone, that you can paste straight into the reply page of your wedding website.
Classic
- Kindly reply by the first of May.
- The favour of a reply is requested before 1 May 2027.
- Please let us know by 1 May whether you will join us.
- We would be honoured to have you with us. Please reply by 1 May.
- Your reply by 1 May will help us seat everyone well.
Warm
- We would love to know if you can make it — please reply by 1 May.
- Say yes by 1 May and we will save you a seat by the window.
- Tell us you are coming — the sooner, the better, and by 1 May at the latest.
- Reply by 1 May so we can count the chairs, the cake and the champagne.
- One click, by 1 May, and we can stop worrying about the seating plan.
Playful
- RSVP by 1 May or we will assume you are bringing the entire village.
- Reply by 1 May. The caterer is stricter than we are.
- Yes, no, or “only for the cake” — let us know by 1 May.
- Late replies will be seated next to Uncle Gérard. You have until 1 May.
- Reply by 1 May and tell us the song that gets you on the dance floor.
Short
- Reply by 1 May.
- Coming? Tell us by 1 May.
- Please reply before 1 May.
- Yes or no, by 1 May.
- Answer by 1 May — thank you.
With a request
- Reply by 1 May, and tell us about any dietary needs.
- Let us know by 1 May who is coming and what you cannot eat.
- Reply by 1 May and add the names of everyone in your party.
- Answer by 1 May — and if you need a lift from the station, say so.
Bilingual (French / English)
- Merci de répondre avant le 1er mai. — Kindly reply by 1 May.
- Dites-nous si vous serez des nôtres avant le 1er mai. — Tell us if you will be with us by 1 May.
- Réponse souhaitée avant le 1er mai. — Reply requested before 1 May.
How to decline gracefully (the other side of the form)
Give guests a kind way to say no, and more of them will answer. A reply button labelled “Joyfully accepts” next to “Regretfully declines” gets more replies than a bare yes/no, because it makes declining feel like part of the ceremony rather than an admission.
The one rule
Put the deadline three weeks before you actually need the numbers. Around a third of guests reply in the last forty-eight hours, whatever you write. A reminder one week before the deadline, sent with the website link, brings in most of the rest.
Where the replies go
A reply is only useful if you can read it in one place. On a Canva wedding website, an interactive RSVP form writes every answer into a sheet in your account — name, attendance, guests, dietary notes and a message. Every Vowery wedding website template includes this form already connected; the Invitation templates, like Wisteria, even offer joyfully accept and regretfully decline out of the box.
Questions couples ask
When should the RSVP deadline be?
Three to four weeks before the wedding, and at least a week before your caterer and venue need final numbers.
Should we ask for meal choices on the RSVP?
Only if your caterer needs them in advance. Otherwise, ask for dietary needs and let guests choose on the day.
How do we chase guests who have not replied?
Send one friendly message with the website link a week before the deadline, then call the rest. Never chase more than twice.
Is it rude to RSVP online?
No. Most guests now prefer it — it takes ten seconds on a phone, and you receive every answer in one list.
Vowery, by Serment Couture — the invitations, at home here.
