The hardest part of inviting guests isn’t sending the invitation — it’s collecting the replies. Online RSVP turns the weeks of texts, calls and a handwritten list into something that updates itself. Here’s how it works, what to ask, and why it beats paper reply cards. (New to the term? See what RSVP means.)
How online RSVP works
- You turn on RSVP in the invitation and share the link with your guests.
- A guest opens the link in their browser — no app, no account — and taps to confirm: coming or not, how many, any details you asked for.
- The reply lands in your guest overview instantly. The headcount, plus-ones and any messages update live as people respond.
- You export to Excel whenever you need it — for the caterer, seating chart or final numbers.
Why it beats paper reply cards
- No return postage. Guests reply with a tap instead of mailing a card back.
- No manual tally. The count adds itself up — you’re not copying names into a notebook.
- No chasing in the dark. You can see at a glance who hasn’t replied yet.
- Changes are easy. A guest can update their answer, and your numbers stay correct.
What to ask on the RSVP
Keep it short — every extra field lowers replies. The usual set:
- Attending — yes or no
- Number of guests / plus-ones
- Each person’s age group and menu or dietary choice (if you’re catering a set menu)
- An optional message to the couple
The whole family in one reply
A family with kids shouldn’t need six messages. One reply lists everyone who’s coming, adults, children and babies, and each person picks their own menu, gluten-free meal, accommodation or transport. Need more? Add up to 8 questions of your own. Your overview shows the totals straight away (say, 12 vegetarian menus), and the list exports to Excel for your caterer. Once replies are in, they feed straight into your seating plan.
Setting it up
On a digital invitation the RSVP is built in — you turn it on, choose what to ask, and share the link. There’s nothing to host or maintain, and every answer lives in one place. Here’s how to create the invitation, or open the demo RSVP to try it.
Frequently asked questions
- Do guests need an app or account to RSVP online?
- No. They open the invitation link in any browser and reply right there — nothing to download and no sign-up.
- Can guests add plus-ones and meal choices?
- Yes. Each guest adds everyone coming with them, picks an age group (for example adults, children or babies) and the per-person choices you set up, such as a vegetarian or gluten-free menu, and answers up to eight questions of your own. It all collects in your guest overview and the CSV or Excel export.
- Can a guest change their answer later?
- Yes. Sending the form again with the same email updates the earlier reply instead of adding a new row, so your headcount stays accurate as plans change.
- Can I export the RSVP list?
- Yes. You can export the responses to Excel for your caterer, seating chart or final numbers.