To create an online RSVP, make an invitation page with the date, time and venue, choose the questions you need, like party size, meals and dietary needs, then share one link by WhatsApp, text or email or print it as a QR code. Replies land in one list, so you can chase the gaps and export a final headcount.
How do you create an online RSVP, step by step?
- Add the essentials. Give the event a name, then add the date, start time, venue and who is hosting.
- Choose your questions. Ask only what changes your plans: attendance, party size, meal choices, dietary needs and children.
- Set a reply-by date and the details. Add the date you need replies by, then the dress code, gift list, travel notes and the schedule of the day if you have them.
- Share one link. Send the invitation link by WhatsApp, text or email, or print the QR code on paper invitations.
- Chase only the gaps. Filter your guest list to Not replied and send one polite reminder to those people only.
- Export the final list. Download the guest list with meal choices and dietary needs for your venue or caterer.
What should an online RSVP ask?
Start with the two things every host needs: whether the guest is coming and how many people are in their party. Then add only the questions that change what you book, cook or print. Every extra question makes it a little more likely that someone gives up halfway.
| Question | Ask it when | Leave it out when |
|---|---|---|
| Meal choice for each person | There is a set menu or a choice of main | Food is a buffet or canapés |
| Dietary needs and allergies | You are serving food at all | Never: it is the one to keep |
| Children | Children are invited or you need to know numbers | The invitation is adults only |
| Plus-one name | Guests may bring a partner | Every guest is named on the invitation |
| Accommodation or transport | You are arranging rooms or a coach | Guests make their own way |
When should you send the invitation and the reminder?
Send the invitation as soon as the date and venue are fixed, with a clear reply-by date. Then send one reminder, only to the people who have not answered, about a week before that date. For weddings, work backwards from the caterer's deadline; our guide to when wedding RSVPs should be due explains how.
Why let guests change their own reply?
Plans change. If guests can update their own answer, your list stays accurate without a stream of messages to you. With RSVP Events, guests who give an email address get a private link to their reply, and you can also edit a reply yourself when someone tells you in person.
Is a group chat, a form or a paper card good enough?
Each works for some events. The table below compares the usual options for an occasion where numbers and meals matter.
| Group chat | Online form | Paper RSVP cards | RSVP Events | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replies in one list | No, scattered in messages | Yes, in a spreadsheet | No, a pile of cards | Yes, with a live headcount |
| Meal choice for each person | Hard to track | Possible if you build it | Yes, by hand | Yes, with a count per dish |
| Guests can change their reply | By sending another message | Only if editing is turned on | By phoning you | Yes, from a private link |
| Guests see each other's details | Yes | No | No | No |
| Cost | Free | Usually free | Printing and postage | Free up to 300 guests |
If your event is a casual get-together and everyone is already in the group chat, a lighter tool may suit you better. Our sister site Pingle is made for exactly that.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an RSVP link for free?
Create an event on RSVP Events with a name and a date, and you get an invitation link straight away. It is free for events of up to 300 guests, with no sign-up for you or your guests.
Do guests need an app or an account to RSVP online?
Not with RSVP Events. Guests open the link in their phone or computer browser, choose yes, no or maybe and answer your questions. There is nothing to download and no password to remember.
Can I use one RSVP link for paper invitations and WhatsApp?
Yes. Print the QR code on your paper invitations and send the same link by WhatsApp, text or email. Every reply lands in the same guest list.
How do I see who has not replied?
Paste the people you have invited into your dashboard and use the Not replied filter. You can email a reminder to those with an address, or copy their names to chase on WhatsApp.