A wedding RSVP form should ask whether each invited guest is coming, the names of everyone in their party, a meal choice for each person and any dietary needs or allergies. Ask about children, accommodation or transport only if you are planning around them. Keep it to the questions that change what you book.
Which questions does every wedding RSVP need?
- Are you coming? Yes or no
- Names of everyone in your party, for place cards and the seating plan
- A meal choice for each person, if you have a set menu
- Dietary requirements and allergies, and who they are for
Named guests make place cards, meal choices and the seating plan far easier than a household headcount.
How should you ask about meal choices?
Use the exact options agreed with your caterer and ask for one choice per person. Keep allergies separate from preferences: someone choosing the fish is not the same as someone who cannot eat dairy. Go through the answers with your venue rather than assuming a form guarantees anything.
How meal choices work on RSVP EventsHow to ask about dietary requirements
Should you ask about children and plus-ones?
Only in the way your invitation allows. Explain your policy in the invitation, then make the form match it. If children are invited, RSVP Events gives each child their own row with a name and a meal, and you can offer a separate children's menu. Ask for children's ages only if they affect meals or seating. Do not let vague wording suggest guests can bring people who are not invited.
When should you ask about accommodation and transport?
When you are arranging rooms or a coach, or need numbers to decide. Say whether you are gathering interest or confirming a booking, so nobody assumes a room is reserved because they ticked a box.
Information that is the same for everyone, such as nearby hotels, parking or the gift list, does not need a question. Add it to the travel and gift details on your invitation instead.
Which questions can you leave out?
- Song requests, unless you will really use them
- Phone numbers, if you already have them
- Questions that only apply to a few guests: ask those people directly
How do you keep the answers private?
Keep optional questions optional, explain why you need sensitive details such as allergies, and share them only with the people delivering the day. RSVP Events keeps answers in your private dashboard and lets you export a list for the caterer. Check the export before you send it to anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Should wedding RSVPs ask for a meal choice?
If you are serving a set menu with a choice of dishes, yes. Ask for one choice per named guest so the caterer gets a count per dish.
How many questions should a wedding RSVP have?
As few as you can manage: attendance, names, meals and dietary needs cover most weddings. Add children, rooms or transport only if you are planning around them.
Should I ask guests for their phone number?
Only if you do not already have it and need to reach people on the day. An email address is more useful, because it lets guests change their own reply.