A Guide to RSVP & Details Cards

When it comes to your wedding day, knowing exactly who’s coming and what to expect is key to a smooth celebration. RSVP and Details Cards play an important role in making sure everyone is on the same page.
These cards help set the tone for your wedding, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the big day. 

RSVP Cards – What are they?

The term RSVP is an abbreviation of the French phrase “Répondez s’il vous plaît,” which means “Please respond.” Throughout history RSVP Cards have been used to aid in the organisation of events, they continue to be an essential part of the wedding planning process today. By including these simple cards, you can keep your guest list, meal preferences, and other important details organised, ensuring that your wedding day is as smooth and stress-free as possible. With the right RSVP system in place, you’ll have more time and energy to focus on enjoying the process of planning and creating the celebration you’ve always dreamed of.

We offer three types of RSVP cards that can be customised to suit your specific needs;
traditional, website or hybrid.

Traditional – these are paper cards that come with a return envelope to allow your guests to return to you, either via the post or in person. These can feature Menu Choices on the back.
Website – these are paper cards which do not include an envelope, they direct your guests to reply online via a wedding website.
Hybrid – these combine both the traditional and website options, perfect for couples who like the idea of a website but also wish to offer the traditional return method for guests for a more official and elevated experience, or for guests who are not online.

Your wedding planning generally relies on guest numbers which can be anything from seats and tables to canapés and favours. RSVP’s can be used to capture this information that is specific to your day. Some things to consider are:

• Guest names and numbers; both adults and children
• Meal preferences; accounting for any dietary requirements
• Transportation needs; pre-arranged transport (if applicable)
• Disability needs; potential wheelchair or seating access

RSVP’s facilitate having all this information in one place. You can easily and quickly collate the details to pass onto your suppliers. As well as this they also tell your guests from the beginning that you have considered everyone’s needs.

Typically you can include some or all of the following:

• RVSP date
• guest names 
• attendance confirmation
• meal preferences (menu choices) and dietary requirements
• transport requirements (if applicable)
• website address (if applicable)

Details Cards – What are they?

Details Cards are additional, smaller cards that accompany your RSVPs and Invitations, allowing you to provide essential information. These cards are useful for sharing extra details and for communicating to your guests that they are invited to a truly special event planned by you and/or your planner to perfection.

Here is our checklist to help you consider some points:

• venue(s) – full address, brief directions or even a delightful hand-drawn map
• accommodation – options/special rates or contact details
• parking – options or restrictions at venue(s)
• transport prearranged – pick up and drop off times
• dress code – e.g. black tie, formal attire, footwear (barn/farm weddings)
• wedding itinerary – highlights of the proceedings
• gift registry or wish poem (a request for money or vouchers)
• destination weddings – activities in the surrounding area. If you’re hosting a destination wedding or have guests who aren’t familiar with the area, details cards are especially helpful in ensuring everyone feels informed and prepared.

Deciding what’s right for you

• Do you wish your guests to reply by post, online via a website or do you with to offer both options?
• Does your venue or caterer need guest menu choices in advance?
• Do you have a dress code preference?
• Do you want to suggest accommodation options for your guests?
• Are you going to secure room rates at chosen hotels for our guests? In which case this needs to be included on a Details Card
• Do you need to give directions or an illustrated map? Good for destination weddings or if many guests are not local.
• Do you want to ask guests for cash gifts?
• Is your budget limited? Consider combining a website rsvp card and a details card.

Lastly, as part of an Invitations Suite, RSVP’s and Details Cards enhance and complete the welcome you extend to your guests creating a lasting impression from the start. They also allow the freedom to expand your chosen design over different sizes, printing methods and to explore the balance of colour, fonts and design elements that all work in harmony. Think of them as a visual symphony working together to communicate your wedding vision.