The R.S.V.P card

Guest Blogger: Rebecca Leary from Wedding Paper Divas

Find this invitation & RSVP card set from Wedding Paper Divas

At the very least, wedding invitations include the actual invitation and the R.S.V.P. card. While the wedding invitation sets the tone for the celebration and provides the who, what, when, where and why of the event; what exactly is the R.S.V.P. card? Sure, we know that it means to respond to the sender with whether or not you plan on attending the wedding – but is it perhaps something more?

First, let’s take care of the basics. R.S.V.P. is French for Répondez S'il Vous Plaît, which literally means: respond, if you please. Or simply, please respond. Please note: it is redundant to write: Please R.S.V.P., which would translate to: Please respond, if you please. Now, is the R.S.V.P. card something more than a count of attendance? 

Well yes, and here’s how:

For the Couple
Whether your budget is $5,000 or $50,000, making sure it’s allocated properly and not wasted is a high priority for every couple and the R.S.V.P. card gives you a certain amount of budget control. It is with this card that you can keep a handle on wedding costs by simply filling in the number of guests and/or writing their name(s) on the M line. This way there are no surprise guests and if you want an evening without children, it politely lets guests know they need to make the proper arrangements. Also, if you are offering menu choices, you can offer guests the option to select a single entrée rather than providing dual entrees, letting you make sure the appropriate amount is prepared. Finally, if you are hosting multiple events, simply list all of them on the R.S.V.P. card and keep track of attendance all in one place.

Beyond the budget, the R.S.V.P. card helps build excitement for the day to come. As you start getting them back in the mail, you’ll find that guests, both those attending and those who cannot, often write a personal note of congratulations. Compiled into a book, box or binder, these messages are yet another keepsake of your special day.  

Wedding Paper Divas

For Guests
It is an honor and a privilege to witness one of life’s most intimate moments between two people. As a guest, it is helpful to pay close attention to the subtle clues on the wedding invitation – location, attire, wording, etc. – and the R.S.V.P card, observing the same elements as noted above. Every last detail was carefully selected to let you, as a guest, know what to expect in accordance to the couples wishes – all in an effort to ensure everyone has a great time.

After all, if it was your wedding, you’d expect the same from your guests.

As a final note, to account for those who forget to fill in their name on the R.S.V.P. card, (yes it does happen) simply make a numbered list of the guests and write the corresponding number on the R.S.V.P envelope by the stamp. It’s an inconspicuous spot and will save you the trouble of trying to figure out who sent it.

Author Bio: Rebecca Leary is a seasoned writer and guest author who enjoys connecting people with thoughtful products, services and ideas as they relate to the wedding and event planning industries.

#Weddings on Twitter

We're on Twitter (@BridesButler) and often while executing Day of Coordination Services will send out a tweet or two of the wedding. I'll include pictures, updates and usually attach a hashtag so that my followers can, well, follow along. You must know though, that I always ask my clients first if they are comfortable with it.

Just this past weekend, I saw a tweet that was an RSVP to a wedding. At first, I'll admit, I was a little concerned. As a Wedding Coordinator, I do my best to aid my clients in staying true to traditions and proper wedding etiquette, but also know that times have changed and social media is a part of almost every one's life. I say almost everyone, because there's still a generation that doesn't use it (IE: Grandparents). You may beg to differ with me here, as even seniors are hip enough to tweet, pin and post - but when it comes to weddings; especially invitations, I suggest to follow the wishes of the couple.

If the invitation includes a self-addressed envelope with a pre-paid stamp, then you should fill out the reply card and send it the good ol' fashioned way. Including these pieces in their invite states that that's how the couple wants to be communicated with. Plus, invitations are quite expensive and adding a reply card with postage is an added expense that shouldn't go to waste.

Now, as I said before, modern times are here and we all need to get on the bandwagon - so if the couple is tech savvy (or wants to eliminate the cost of the reply card) they can request that their replies are sent via email (kimandkevin@gmail.com), phone or via Twitter. If the couple uses Twitter often, they might want to create a hashtag (#KimandKevinsWedding) for any tweets concerning their big day.

If the couple has a wedding website, they can include the URL in the invite and list the ways to RSVP there.  Note though, that you should only have 2 channels in which guests can give you a yay or nay...any more and you'll likely miss a few.

So, getting back to #weddings on Twitter - you can most definitely include your wedding on the popular social site like this Groom did (pictured), but I advise that you do with caution. You should be leaving the tweeting to others, because you should be enjoying your day as Hubs and Wifey. If you want your guests to tweet during your ceremony and reception, include that info in your programs. If you're really tech savvy, have a live stream of the tweets displayed on a screen in your reception venue. Like anything that is captured, these tweets will be a good reminder of the fun everyone had. Just be careful what you tweet (and this goes for Facebook too) - have respect for the couples privacy (not everyone was invited, so not everyone need the details), be courteous to the Bride (aka, post only flattering pictures) and refrain from using profanity - a wedding after all is a formal event - not a house party.

If you don't want everyone tweeting, you can say that as well in your program. Some couples aren't showy and don't want their special day posted to the masses whether it be on Twitter or Facebook. But, if you don't mind - perhaps you can ask a close friend or family member and enlist them as your "Tweet of Honor." Check out this article for more info on what I'm referring to.

So, to sum this all up - I suggest that you ask first and or follow the given instructions. If the RSVP doesn't say tweet your response, then don't. If you still want to tweet or post your attendance anyway, ask the couple first if it'd be okay to do so. Yes, Social Media is the future but, having proper social manners is not the past. At least not yet (here's hoping!)

Happy tweeting!