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Whether you\u2019ve received an invitation to a wedding, baby shower, birthday party, or other event, knowing how to respond to an <\/span>RSVP<\/span> doesn\u2019t come naturally to everyone \u2014 especially if you don\u2019t often receive <\/span>formal invitations<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this guide, we\u2019ll explain the details of <\/span>RSVP etiquette<\/span> and take you through the process of properly (and promptly) replying to an <\/span>RSVP<\/span> request.<\/span> An <\/span>RSVP<\/span> is a request for you to confirm whether or not you\u2019ll be attending an event, be it a celebration, business meeting, family gathering, or other occasion. RSVP is an <\/span>abbreviation<\/span> that comes from the <\/span>French phrase<\/span> \u201c<\/span>r\u00e9pondez s’il vous pla\u00eet<\/span>“,\u201d which when translated into <\/span>English<\/span> means, \u201cplease reply as soon as you can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Any type of event may come with an <\/span>RSVP<\/span> request, but you\u2019re most likely to find them associated with the following:<\/span><\/p>\n For any event serving food, it\u2019s a must for the host to know who\u2019s coming. That way, they can plan the right <\/span>amount of food<\/span>, <\/span>refreshments<\/span>, activities, and party favors based on the <\/span>number of guests attending<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n When a host requests an <\/span>RSVP<\/span>, they want to confirm whether or not you will attend. If <\/span>yes<\/span>, they\u2019ll know to expect you and plan accordingly. If you reply with no, they can adjust the <\/span>headcount<\/span> or invite other guests to fill any extra spots.<\/span><\/p>\n Ready to let the host know you can (or can\u2019t) make it? Here\u2019s how to respond to an <\/span>RSVP<\/span> request to avoid any confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery<\/p><\/div>\n To ensure you follow appropriate <\/span>RSVP etiquette<\/span>, first check to see whether you actually need to <\/span>RSVP<\/span> or not. Some events, like a relaxed<\/span> picnic <\/strong>birthday celebration<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, don\u2019t always require you to <\/span>RSVP<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n If there\u2019s an <\/span>RSVP card<\/span> or <\/span>response card<\/span> included (this is often the case with <\/span>wedding invitations<\/span>), you should fill it in and return it to the host. Even if there\u2019s no card, look for any prompts, like a \u201cReply by\u201d or \u201cPlease respond by\u201d date.<\/span><\/p>\n If there\u2019s no <\/span>RSVP card or <\/span>written request or deadline on the invite, it\u2019s OK to assume that it\u2019s not required. In these cases, simply let the host know you can or can\u2019t make it when you next talk to them.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re saying <\/span>yes<\/span> or no to the host\u2019s invitation, be sure to <\/span>read<\/span> the invite to determine the best way to respond.<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes one option will be clearly provided \u2014 for example, if you receive a <\/span>wedding invitation<\/span> and a printed <\/span>response card<\/span>. Other times, there may be a note requesting you <\/span>RSVP<\/span> by a certain date alongside a <\/span>phone number<\/span> or <\/span>RSVP email<\/span> address.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve received an <\/span>email invitation<\/a><\/strong> (through a platform like Greenvelope), there\u2019ll be an easy way to <\/span>RSVP<\/span>. With Greenvelope, you can <\/span>RSVP<\/span> with just a click and the host will automatically know your attendance status.<\/span><\/p>\n If there\u2019s no obvious method offered, use whichever feels most natural to you based on your relationship with the host. You could send a quick <\/span>text message<\/span>, <\/span>RSVP<\/span> in person, or reply to their <\/span>evite<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Jen Montgomery<\/p><\/div>\n Some guests see an <\/span>RSVP<\/span> request and worry that they\u2019ll fill it in wrong or that their response won\u2019t be formal enough. Our advice here is to take note of the formality of both the invitation and the event and adjust your <\/span>RSVP<\/span> accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n For a<\/span>\u00a0formal invitation<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll often see an included <\/span>response card<\/span>. This should have a <\/span>template<\/span> format that asks for details like your name, number of guests, and a yes or no. Include your full name(s) and respond in a way that mirrors the tone of the invite.<\/span><\/p>\n For casual invitations, you may want to reply with your first name or nickname alongside a personal message to say you\u2019re looking forward to the party.<\/span><\/p>\n The party host is asking you to <\/span>RSVP<\/span> so they can get excited about you being there, but also so they can accurately plan their <\/span>headcount<\/span>. For this reason, it\u2019s important to not only reply to say you can make it but to include the name(s) and number of guests.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve received a<\/span>\u00a0wedding invitation with an RSVP card<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, it will probably already have your name on it. If not, you can add it. If the host allows for a <\/span>plus one<\/span>, you should also include that person\u2019s name. After all, the host may want to include names on seating charts or <\/span>place cards<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. If your <\/span>plus one<\/span> changes at any point, you can always update the host with the new details.<\/span><\/p>\n The most important detail of any <\/span>RSVP response<\/span> is whether it\u2019s a \u201c<\/span>yes<\/span>\u201d or a \u201cno,\u201d but you\u2019d be surprised by how often this actually gets left out \u2014 especially when it comes to more traditional paper invitations.<\/span><\/p>\n Before you mail or submit your <\/span>RSVP<\/span>, double-check that your status is clear. Most online invitation platforms will ask you to check a box, which makes it easier. For paper invitations, check the provided box or write \u201c<\/span>yes<\/span>\u201d or \u201cno\u201d on the included response line.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\nWhat Does <\/b>RSVP Mean<\/b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-submitting-an-RSVP-using-a-tablet.jpg\")
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How to Respond to an <\/b>RSVP<\/b> Request with Confidence<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Check Whether an <\/b>RSVP<\/b> Is Required<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/The-Perfect-Picnic-Invitation-4.jpg\")
2. Determine the Best Method to <\/b>RSVP<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Match the Formality of the Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Classic](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Classic-Laurel-Wreath-Invitation-1.jpg\")
4. Include Your Name(s) and Number of Guests<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Confirm Your Attendance<\/b><\/h3>\n
6. Answer Any Questions on the Invite<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Bold](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bold-Gala-Invitation.jpg\")
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/example-of-an-RSVP-request.jpg\")
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