BY THE WEDLEY TEAM · PRACTICAL PLANNING GUIDANCE · UPDATED
The short answer
Name the people invited, say which part of the wedding the invitation covers, give a reply deadline and ask for an answer for each person. Warm wording and clear boundaries can sit comfortably together. Replace every bracketed detail below before using the examples.
For a named couple
“Alex and Sam, we would love you to celebrate with us. Please let us know by [reply date] whether each of you can join us for [included events] on [wedding date] at [location]. We cannot wait to see you.”
Use attending and declining options for each guest. Do not assume that one answer applies to both people. If only part of the day is included, name that part instead of using “the whole celebration”.
For a family invitation
“Alex, Sam and Robin, you are warmly invited to [included events]. Please reply for each named guest by [reply date]. If you are joining us, please provide the meal details requested for each person.”
Naming everyone helps avoid confusion about children or additional guests. If you are not offering open plus-ones, avoid wording such as “bring the family” or “and guests”. Have a direct conversation if the invitation needs a sensitive explanation.
For evening guests
“Please join us for an evening of celebrating, from [time] at [venue and address] on [date]. Let us know by [reply date] whether you can make it. We would love to see you on the dance floor.”
If food will be provided, describe only the arrangements you have confirmed. Include arrival instructions that evening guests actually need; a ceremony time they are not invited to can cause uncertainty.
For a gentle follow-up
“A little note in case our invitation slipped past you: could you let us know by [date] whether you can join us? We are confirming arrangements with our venue. Your reply link is [link]. Thank you.”
Send follow-ups only to people whose answers are still missing. Choose a deadline based on the venue and caterer’s actual requirements, with enough time for your own follow-up. There is no universal RSVP deadline that suits every wedding.
Ask only for information you need
For meal requirements, try: “Please tell us about dietary requirements we need to discuss with our caterer. We will confirm arrangements with you.” Do not promise that a meal is allergen-safe simply because a form collects the information.
Check names, dates, addresses and links on a phone before sharing. Keep essential facts as readable text even if you upload your own card artwork.
Bring the words into your invitation
Use the examples as starting points, not automatic messages. Wedley’s Studio provides a private invitation preview; Complete is needed for publication, live household links and online replies.
Publishing does not automatically email guests. Direct invitation email delivery is currently disabled in production, so do not plan around that feature until it is explicitly available. See the linked RSVP checklist before launching.