Wedding Response Etiquette
Being invited to share a wedding day with those you care about is one of the kindest gestures you can receive. Included in your invitation will be the bride and groom's names, the date, time and reception information, as well as any other specifics guests may need to know.
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Response Card
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Carefully complete the response card that came with your invitation, being sure to complete all fields. You may be asked to note only your attendance or you may also be asked to choose a food choice or list the number of guests who will attend. Most wedding invitations will come with response cards and pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes to make it easy for you to respond quickly. A response card that reads "Regrets" means you are unable to attend.
Alternate Response
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If you have lost your invitation or response card, contact the bride or groom by phone as soon as possible to let them know if you will attend. This will save them the trouble of calling you. If a written response is requested, you can simply write a response yourself. In an article for Pashweddings.com titled "How to Respond to a Wedding Invitation," Cheryl Galvez notes you should include your name(s), attendance status and the date of the wedding to ensure that your response is clear.
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Response Time
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Send your response card back as soon as you are certain of your availability. Whether or not you are attending the wedding, it is important to give the bride and groom plenty of time to prepare for how many guests will be attending.
Misconceptions
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Be sure you understand all of the wedding details before giving the couple your response. If you are unsure of any of the specifics--such as attire, place, date or whether you may bring a guest--don't make assumptions; contact the bride or groom promptly.
Warning
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Do not assume an invitation automatically reserves your place at the wedding. If you do not respond by the time requested on the invitation, the bride and groom will probably assume you are not coming.
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References
- Photo Credit invitation de mariage image by Christophe Thélisson from Fotolia.com
