— Guide
Wedding RSVPs, what they mean and how to collect them
RSVP comes from the French répondez s'il vous plaît and asks guests to say whether they're coming. Set the deadline two to three weeks before your venue needs final numbers, ask only what you'll actually use, and keep every reply in one list.
Setting the deadline
Ask your venue and caterer when they need final numbers, then put your RSVP date a few days before that. Two to three weeks before the wedding works for most couples and still leaves time to chase anyone who hasn't answered.
RSVP deadline wording
- Kindly reply by 1 May
- Please let us know by 1 May if you can join us
- We'd love your answer by 1 May so we can confirm numbers with the venue
- Replies by 1 May, please, using the form in this invitation
Questions worth asking
Every extra question is one more reason to put the form off. Ask what you'll act on.
- Coming, not coming, or not sure yet
- How many people, including children
- The name of a plus-one, if you allow them
- Menu choice, if the venue offers one
- Allergies or dietary needs
- A free note, for anything else
Ways to collect replies
Phone calls are the most personal and the slowest. Messages are fast, but answers end up scattered across chats. A form inside the invitation puts every reply in the same format and the same place, which is what you need when the venue asks for a number.
How online RSVPs work on Digitally Invite
- The guest opens the link and fills in the form, no account or app
- Each new reply is emailed to you
- A guest who leaves an email address gets a confirmation
- All replies sit in your panel and download as a CSV for Excel
- There's no automatic cut-off. When the deadline passes, switch the RSVP section off and new replies stop
Tracking and chasing replies
Keep one list with a row per household and mark each answer as it arrives. Shortly before your deadline, message only the people who haven't replied, with the link again so answering takes a tap. We don't send reminders on your behalf, so that message comes from you.
Frequently asked questions
What does RSVP mean on a wedding invitation?
It's French, répondez s'il vous plaît, meaning please reply. It asks guests to tell you whether they're coming.
What if guests don't RSVP by the deadline?
Send a short, friendly message with the link again. If there's still no answer, a phone call settles it.
Can a guest change their answer?
Yes. They can send the form again, and when the name or email matches, their status in your guest list updates.
Do guests need an account to RSVP online?
No. They open the link and fill in the form in their phone's browser.