What Does RSVP Mean on a Party Invitation?

An RSVP written on invitations should be honored by party guests.

If you've recently been invited to a party, or will be hosting one soon, it's important to be clear on the meaning of RSVP before sending invitations or planning to attend a party. Adhering to the rules of RSVP will make for a pleasant event that a host can properly accommodate.

Significance

RSVP means "Respondez s'il vous plait," which means "please respond" in French. The RSVP is a request for guests to confirm their attendance to the party, which helps the party host plan accordingly.

Types

A RSVP request can come in several styles, so guests should read the invitation carefully to determine how to respond. For instance, a "regrets only" RSVP means you should contact the host only if you will not be attending.

Considerations

If you will be bringing a date with you to the party (only if the hosts has approved this on the invitation), consider RSVP'ing earlier than the deadline. This will allow the host to properly prepare for an additional guest, and will be one less task you'll have to complete when preparing for the celebration.

References

• Catalogs.com: What Does RSVP Mean?
• The Knot: What Does RSVP Mean?