How to Respond to an RSVP by Email

Help out your hosts by sending a polite and clear RSVP by the specified date.

If you receive an invitation to a wedding, dinner or party then you might be asked to RSVP, or "Répondez s'il vous plait," which means "please reply" in French. The traditional method for responding to an RSVP invitation is to mail a written acceptance, but many invitations now also include an RSVP email address or phone number. For the sake of etiquette and politeness, you should RSVP by email only if the invitation offers this option, or if you received the invitation by email.

Instructions

1. Launch your email application and open a new email message.

2. Type the full RSVP email address, as printed on the invitation, into the message's "To" input field.

3. Enter the title for your email into the "Subject" input field. Include the name of the event and "RSVP" in the subject line. For example, "RSVP to John and Jane's Wedding."

4. Type the text of your RSVP into the main body of the email message. Thank the host for the invitation and clearly accept or decline the invitation. Avoid ambiguity or uncertainty -- only send the RSVP when you know whether or not you will attend. Also remember to specify whether you're replying as an individual, or also on behalf of your partner and other family members.

5. Click "Send" in your email application to send the email RSVP.

Tips & Warnings

• Organizing an event can be time-consuming and stressful. Help the host by always sending your RSVP by the date specified on the invitation.

References

• Emily Post: Invitation Etiquette
• Microsoft Office: Basic Tasks in Outlook 2010

Resources

• Classy Announcements: RSVP Wording Ideas
• Microsoft Office: Outlook 2010 Help and How-to