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Right now I am feeling completely overwhelmed with the stress of getting our invitations finalized. They need to go out in like, ummm two-and-a-half weeks? And I am stalling the entire printing process because of four little letters:
Image created with “Made with B” font via Dafont
Why so much stress over one tiny component in our invitation suite? Because I like to think of the RSVP card as an opportunity to inject a little personality, be a little less serious, and give our guests a chance to have some fun too. I always imagined having RSVP cards that allowed space for our guests to leave us a little message:
Invites by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations / Image via Oh So Beautiful Paper
Mrs. Lioness’s amazing results 
Guests’ response cards on display at a reception / Via Calder Clark Designs
…or incorporated some creative wording:
Mad Libs response card via Plush Paper
Via metalmother.com
Mrs. Sand Dollar’s adorable RSVP’s
But when we started working with our designer, I began to worry that those ideas wouldn’t “fit” with the overall look we were going for. And I’m still having some trouble getting over that. I know that they’re OUR invites and they can look however we want them too… but the truth is, I’m still overwhelmed with options and worried I’ll pick the wrong one. Will our guests get it? Will they like it? Or will they be frustrated by the outlandish-ness of it all?
Sigh.
On a more ridiculous level, I’m also having trouble accepting that the word “beef” will be on those little cards since our caterer needs entrée selections. To me it’s like saying, “Hey, come to our classy downtown affair in beautiful Chicago… now, do y’all want beef or taters with that? Hmmm?”
Anyway, I’m (mostly) joking.
“Beef” will be there, right alongside “Pasta” and “Fish.” For the rest of the wording, we’ve tentatively decided to go very simple with a modern twist:
Will you join us?
Kindly reply by the 10th of August.
M _______________
Yes, I’ll be there!
No, I’d love to, but I can’t make it.
It’s not mind-blowing… but it’s cute and straightforward.
In order to get the creative responses we’re hoping for, we’re thinking of adding a short blurb (ala Mrs. Lioness) asking guests to use the back of the card for advice, doodles, etc.
How did you end up wording your RSVP? Was there a tiny aspect of planning that really got to you? Like, “beef”?
We used the mad libs style for our RSVPS and our guests seem to be loving it. But I’ve had a few people tell me that they are waiting to send theirs back because they are trying to come up with clever things to write.
I saw an RSVP card the other day and at the bottom it said: The song that will get you on the dance floor is ________________.
Thought that was a cute idea.
I’m sure whatever you choose will be great!
I thought RSVPs would be easy: yes or no, but now you’ve got me thinking about all the other options. Grr.
I completely understand! I was struggling with that until I learned that our guests don’t have to choose ahead. But by then I was too overwhelmed so I went w the standard “kindly reply by…” followed by “M___” Done.
Maybe you could do like Mrs. Snow and instead of saying “beef,” “fish,” etc. use little pictures of cows and fish?
Maybe you could do like Mrs. Snow and instead of saying “beef,” “fish,” etc. use little pictures of cows and fish?
we used standard “accepts with pleasure” “declines with regret” for family and we used fun ones like Mrs EB http://www.weddingbee.com/2011/02/11/diy-invitations-9/#more-184815 for all the friends!
we thought the fun ones would be too much for some older family members
We had spots for Beef/Chicken/Veggie/Child’s Meal. Sigh. A lot of our guests are still writing nice messages on ours!
Aw, you’ve got a beef with “beef”? Hehe, couldn’t resist…
Our dinner will be buffet-style, which meant we didn’t have to include any mention of beef or chicken. I was actually slightly disappointed, though. I really wanted to include cute little hand-drawn cows and chickens on our RSVP, which, as Mrs. Hyena mentioned, is a great alternative idea.
I want our rsvps to be super fun too! I think all guests should add fun messages and drawings if they want to come our wedding.
I’ve been having the same thought process for about 2 weeks now. It’s making me fear the whole project. I think I’ve decided on a cute frame on the back of the RSVP postcard with a space to leave a message/image/etc. I really like the idea that if someone can’t attend the wedding, you still have a keepsake from them. The pics should be up on our blog in the next week or so:
I too worry something so creative won’t “fit” in with the overall look of our invites. I love what Mrs. Lioness was able to achieve so I’m hoping we can work something out and find a good compromise! I was goign to mention the same as Mrs. Hyena - the pictures are so cute! I’ve actually never have received an invite with pictures so I think it is still a cute, relatively new idea!
I agree with Mrs. Hyena. The pictures would be so cute! That way, you have what you need to on the card but it is still a little more “fun” and unqiue like you are looking for!
And as a fellow Sept. bride who is sending hers out soon- there are so many things to stress about in a wedding and the invitations are inherently one of them. Know you are not alone!! And that it’ll be ok!!! =)
I love your wording! We went the same traditional-with-a-twist route because we were concerned about family members getting confused by “out of the box” RSVP cards. And, if you’re thinking of going the picture route instead of using words for the meals, there are free fonts that do the trick!
I think your wording is a great blend of fun and familiar. I really wanted to include spots for guest feedback, but I ran out of time, creativity, and drive. Whomp whomp.
I also struggled with this. I wanted to keep it classy and nice to reflect the wedding and invites, but also FUN like us! So, I decided on a little toasting theme as the wedding is at a vineyard…
M.________
__ Will be there toasting!
__ Will be toasting from afar!
__ Number toasting
Please initial next to your entree selection…
__Beef ___ Chicken ___ Fish
I wanted the same thing…fun! We are using the options from the brilliant Mrs. Cheese. http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/04/15/and-good-riddance/. It’s perfect for our sense humor. Even my traditional Mom loved it.
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Mrs. Sparkler, Chicago Age and Occupation: 27, Communications Aficionado Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Publisher Engagement Date: July 21, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Chicago Illuminating Company About Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
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