Réspondez s’il vous plaît

What’s the importance of a Response Card?

Nobody actually likes surprises. Okay, fine … balloons and cake are great. But when you’re planning an event? Hard pass. The person planning the event likely has a budget in place as well has likely been given a deadline by their vendors (ie caterer, florist, ahem … stationer) for the final guest count.

The Purpose

The Response Card is our key to this information. It tells us the number of guests attending, their names, food choices (if hosting a plated/seated celebration) even sometimes, food restrictions. 

So why do vendors even need to know this information? Well, it differs for each vendor. 

For caterers, they need to know the guest count for food purposes, the amount of food to prepare and what to bill the client.  For florists, they need to know the number of tables and therefore, the number of floral arrangements to design. 

For stationers, this information is vital. 

Let’s say you’re planning to host a wedding where guests have assigned tables or seating. The Response Card allows us to capture the information to then be printed on escort cards (the small card that tells you which table number you are seated at) and/or on place cards (the small card that is at your place setting telling you exactly which seat is yours and what entrée you selected).

Traditional or Online Response?

Traditionally, the Response Card is the smallest card in the invitation suite. The card is filled out by the guest and is then mailed back in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to whomever is physically handing the responses (bride, mom, or wedding planner). 

Weddings are no different when it comes to being affected by technology and our need to simplify and streamline information in a digital format. For this reason, some couples choose to forego the traditional Response Card and ask guests to respond online. While this does break from tradition (and gives Emily Post a reason to clutch her pearls), this option does also save the client a bit with the cost of printing envelopes as well as postage. 

If you’re on the fence about whether to include a traditional Response Card, I would look at your style of wedding. If your wedding leans more towards formal and perhaps is Black-Tie, my suggestion is to complete your invitation suite with a traditional Response Card. If your wedding is more casual in nature, an online response may be a better option for you.

Bottom Line

Do what works for you, and what fits your budget. You will likely have to follow up with a couple of guests on their response either way (whether you are asking for a returned mail piece or an online response) …. Yes, real talk here - for another post!

Fun Fact: The term “Response” is an English language alternative of the acronym ‘RSVP’ … a french phrase of Réspondez s’il vous plaît.