Wedding RSVP Wording and Meal Choice Questions (With Examples)

A good RSVP form is short, clear and kind. These examples help you word it well.

Keep the form short

Ask only what you need: name, attending or not, number of guests, meal choice, dietary needs and an optional message. Every extra question lowers the number of replies.

Example wording

• Heading: "Will you join us?"
• Intro: "Please reply by 1 March so we can finalise numbers. We can’t wait to celebrate with you."
• Attending: "Joyfully accepts" and "Regretfully declines"
• Message box: "Leave us a note or a song request."

Meal choices

If you are serving a plated dinner, list the main courses with a short description and always include a vegetarian option. For example: Slow-braised beef, Roast fish, Wild mushroom risotto (vegetarian), Children’s meal. See how it works in the Meal Choice template.

Dietary needs

Add one open question: "Any allergies or dietary requirements?" Ask guests to be specific. Your caterer will thank you.

Plus-ones and children

Say clearly who is invited. "We have reserved 2 seats in your honour" on the invitation, and a guest limit on the form, avoids awkward conversations later.

Choosing a deadline

Set the RSVP deadline three to four weeks before the wedding. Most caterers need final numbers two weeks before, so that leaves time to chase non-replies.

After the replies arrive

Download your guest list as Excel or CSV and print it for the venue. Details are on the features page.