When sending out wedding invitations, you expect a response of some kind. The etiquette of responding to a wedding invitation has changed a great deal over the past half century from the very formal ways of past generations to the mostly informal means of today.
Brief History of the Reply/Response Card
Did you know that at one time a formal handwritten letter was the proper response to a wedding invitation? The reply card frequently used today is relatively modern as well as being considered an optional item in wedding invitations. For convenience and expedience response cards go along with most invitations today. Handwritten letters are not as common as they once were.
How to Ensure RSVP
So you have prepared the wedding invitations with the response cards. How do you know you will get answers back? And how do you know who is sending an RSVP? etiquette and common sense go together. Make sure the RSVP makes it into the invitation with a stamp attached. In case the guest forgets to sign the card, put a number on the back so that you can keep track of the guest name.
If you choose not to use cards, simply state that “the favor of a reply is requested by (insert date)” on the announcement or invitation. Be sure to put contact information with this.
It should be noted that it is still proper etiquette to respond to a wedding invitation even if you cannot attend.
Formal Wedding Invitation Etiquette
A more formal invitation requires more formal etiquette for a response. With formal wedding invitations, you always use two envelopes; one is for the invitation itself and the other is for the reply. Formal invitations are always responded to using land mail.
Formal wedding invitations also always use proper grammar and full spelling of all names, titles, places, and times. The address on the envelopes must be handwritten. You can ask for “hand canceled” postage so that the look of the envelope is preserved when it arrives at its destination.
While the method of inviting someone to a wedding can vary along with the method of response, the wedding invitation etiquette regarding responses has remained constant. Passed down from generation to generation, these guidelines are a part of the honored traditions that accompany weddings.
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