How far in advance should the RSVP deadline be?

6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalize head counts with the caterer (usually due 10-14 days out) and follow up with non-responders.

What is the etiquette for guests who do not respond?

Send one polite follow-up 1 week after the deadline. If you still get no reply after another week, mark them as not attending — you cannot hold seats forever.

RSVP Wording Examples for Every Kind of Wedding

Updated July 25, 2026

Good RSVP wording does two things: it tells guests exactly what you need from them, and it gives them a clean way to say yes or no without adding a note.

The examples below work for paper cards and for digital RSVPs like the tokenized links EverAfter Studio generates for each guest.

Formal RSVP wording

'The favour of your reply is requested by the fifteenth of August. ___ accepts with pleasure ___ declines with regret.'

Use for black-tie weddings, cathedral ceremonies, and hotel ballroom receptions.

Modern RSVP wording

'Please reply by August 15. Yes, we'll be there! / No, we'll celebrate from afar.'

'Kindly respond by August 15. Joyfully accepting / Regretfully declining.'

Both work for garden weddings, small ceremonies, and civil unions.

Casual / short-form

'Can you make it? Yes / No / Only for the ceremony / Only for the reception. RSVP by August 15.'

'Save us a seat? Yes / No. Reply by August 15.'

Meal, dietary, and song requests

'Please select an entrée: Chicken / Fish / Vegetarian.'

'Any dietary needs we should know about? _______________'

'Song that will get you on the dance floor: _______________'

Digital RSVP text

'Hi [name] — you're invited to Maya and Jordan's wedding on October 5. Tap here to RSVP by August 15: [personal link]. Questions? Just reply.'

Send from a tokenized link (no login required) so the guest experience is one tap. This is what the EverAfter Studio RSVP module does by default.

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Frequently asked

How far in advance should the RSVP deadline be?: 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalize head counts with the caterer (usually due 10-14 days out) and follow up with non-responders.
What is the etiquette for guests who do not respond?: Send one polite follow-up 1 week after the deadline. If you still get no reply after another week, mark them as not attending — you cannot hold seats forever.

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