Q. Hi Jordan,
I have an etiquette question for you. My cousin is getting married, and sent out an RSVP card with the wedding invitations. There is a spot for my name, and a blank beside the statement “persons will attend.” But there isn’t anything to check whether I will or will not attend. I can’t make it to the wedding, so do I just put 0 for the number of people attending, or write something about regrets off to the side? Help!
Katie
A. Hey Katie!
I can understand your confusion – that’s some pretty awkward phrasing. I’ve received a couple of invites with RSVP cards like that and have been similarly perplexed, but what I’ve done in this situation is write “0” or “Regrets” in the blank space and then added a brief message alongside saying that I’m sorry that I won’t be able to be there and thanking the couple for inviting me to the wedding.
For those of you who may be hosting an event requiring RSVP cards, there’s really no “right” way to phrase one – you can be as formal or informal as you like – but my favorite format is this:
M__________
( ) Accepts
( ) Declines with Regret
I also like the idea of pre-filling in the name and including “and guest” (if a guest is permitted), to avoid confusion.
x
J
