HOW TO WRITE A RESPONSE CARD

One of the many questions I get asked as a custom invitation designer is, “What wording should I use for the reply card?” There are many options you can use to personalize your response card.

1. The first line of wording will request a response from your guest. This line will also give a deadline date. Make your deadline date about 1 month to 3 weeks before your wedding day OR when you feel most comfortable receiving the final count. There are many traditional, fun, or casual ways to word this section. Following are a few examples:

Kindly reply by Month Day, Year

We look forward to celebrating with you!
Please respond by Month Day, Year

We look forward to seeing you in {State Wedding is in}…
Please respond on or before Month Day, Year

The favour of a reply is requested by Month Day, Year

2. The next line on the reply card often gives your guest an area to handwrite their names. Sometimes a guest will send back their reply card with NO NAMES. Now what? No worries! Here is a fun tip! Make a list of your guests and assign a number to each guest household that will be replying. Using a sharp pencil write a tiny number on the back of each reply card to correspond with that guest. This way when they send the response card back, and if they forget to write in their names, YOU will know WHO they are by the number on the back! Waahhhlah! Often you will see the line where your guests are suppose to handwrite their names like so:

M_________________________________

Name(s)____________________________

3. The third line on a reply card requests your guests’ response if they will attend your wedding or not. Most of the time you will give your guests an area to check off.

___persons will attend

or

____wouldn’t miss it   ____can’t make it

A special note for Taylor and John:

or

____Accepts ____Regrets

or

_____Wouldn’t miss it! Number attending_____
_____Not able to make it, but we’ll be thinking of you…

4. Sometimes you will need to know what food choice your guests prefer. Be sure to ask your caterer if they need a head count for food and what date they need the final count by.

Please initial each guest’s entrée choice:

____ Filet Mignon    ____ Island Snapper     ____ Vegetarian

or our fun entrée motifs!

5. You will want to address the reply card envelope with the name(s) and address of the person who needs to keep track of the head count. This may be the bride, groom, family member, or wedding planner.

Questions? Feel free to ask me!