FREE FEATURE ยท MEAL CHOICES
An RSVP form that collects meal choices
Each guest chooses their own meal as they reply. You get a count per dish for the caterer, without adding up cards or chasing texts.
RSVP Events adds meal choices to your online RSVP form. Type in the dishes on your menu and every guest picks one for each person in their party as they reply. Dietary needs and allergies are asked separately. Your dashboard shows a count per dish and you can export names and choices for the caterer.
How do you collect meal choices with an online RSVP?
- Get the menu from your caterer. Ask for the exact names of each dish guests can choose from.
- Create your invitation. Add the occasion, date and venue. It takes about two minutes.
- Turn on meal choices. In your dashboard, add the dish names. Guests are then asked for everyone's names and a meal for each.
- Share the link. Send it by WhatsApp, text or email, or print the QR code on your invitations.
- Check the count per dish. Watch the totals build up and chase anyone who has not chosen.
- Export for the caterer. Download a CSV with each guest, their meal and dietary needs.
Why collect meal choices with the RSVP?
Because the answer arrives at the same moment as the yes. Asking separately means a second round of messages, and the people who were slowest to reply will be the slowest to choose. With one form, a reply is complete when it arrives.
Does each guest get their own meal choice?
Yes. When meal choices are on, the guest names everyone in their party and picks a meal for each person. That is what makes place cards and a per-dish count possible.
What about children's meals?
Each child gets their own row with a name and a meal. Add a children's menu and children choose from it, with its own list in the meal counts; leave it out and they choose from the main menu. The headcount shows adults and children separately. If you set a guest limit, children take a place towards it unless you turn that off, for example when little ones will sit on a lap.
How are dietary requirements handled?
Separately from the meal choice, because a preference is not an allergy. Guests tick common needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, nut allergy, halal and kosher, or describe something else and who it is for.
What does the caterer get?
The export is a CSV file that opens in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets. Check it before sending it on.
| Column | Example |
|---|---|
| Name | Priya Shah |
| Reply | Going |
| Everyone in the party | Priya Shah; Sam Shah; Leo Shah (child) |
| Meal choices | Priya Shah: Salmon; Sam Shah: Beef; Leo Shah (child): Pasta |
| Dietary requirements | Gluten-free |
Frequently asked questions
Can guests change their meal choice?
Yes. Guests who give an email address get a private link to update their reply, and you can edit any reply in the dashboard.
How many meal options can I offer?
As many as your menu has, plus a separate children's menu if you need one. Keep the names short and the same as the caterer's, so the counts match their order sheet.
Is the meal choice feature free?
Yes. Everything on RSVP Events is free for events of up to 300 guests.