Digital RSVP vs. Printed Return RSVP
Do you still need a printed RSVP in your wedding invitation suite? If not, what the best alternatives to consider?
Formal wedding invitation suites typically include an RSVP where guests list their name, whether or not they are able to attend, and sometimes their meal selection. This smaller insert traditionally comes with a pre-addressed and stamped 4-Bar Envelope. Guests simply fill out the RSVP, put in the envelope and put in their mailbox.
What to consider with a formal printed RSVP and return envelope?
You will need to determine what information you want the guest to respond to (i.e. RSVP names, menu selection, events selection (if your wedding has multiple events on different days), etc.
This requires extra paper and printing expense on the RSVP card and the envelope.
This requires a USPS forever stamp (currently $0.73 in 2025) .
This requires you to manually receive and catalog all responses.
If I’m having a black tie wedding do I need a printed RSVP and return envelope?
Here’s where I give you permission to do things differently, this is your wedding and I believe you have all autonomy. There are many fun ways to include RSVP and wedding details in a wedding invitation suite that don’t require you to painstakingly catalog physical RSVP envelopes. Now some brides want to do that and want everything to be formal and I love that too! I recommend choosing the option that best fits you. Consider your budget, time, and what you do and do not enjoy. If getting tiny RSVP envelopes is going to make your heart happy every time you open the mail (do it!), if that gives you immediate feelings of dread..here’s a few other ideas for your RSVP inserts.
No RSVP insert:
Do just an invitation and skip the RSVP insert altogether - this option is the most budget friendly and might even allow you to invest in other fun details you care about more, like a two color letterpress design, a fancy envelope liner, custom wax seal, or other luxurious embellishment.
If you choose this option make sure you have a reliable wedding website where guests can RSVP and use wording at the bottom of the invitation like, “Kindly RSVP at: www.yourweddingwebsite.com by X.XX.XXXX”
Digital RSVP insert (with no return envelope):
With this option you can print your main invitation and include an RSVP with all the same wording as a traditional RSVP, but provide the wedding website for guests to respond, in place of an RSVP envelope.
In today’s world I believe this option improves both your and your guests experience
It allows you catalog all items you need responses for, especially if your wedding has multiple events on different days
It helps keep the invitation suite formal and allows you to invest in other unique details you care about more
It is more cost effective than a physical RSVP because it does not require an extra envelope, return address printing, and a $0.73 stamp/each.
Whatever you choose for your RSVP option is your preference. I love wedding websites because it allows guests to RSVP easily, allows you to record all of the RSVP information correctly, and gives guests a one-atop shop for all of their questions about the wedding weekend. It also allows you to share special details about your love story and what to expect for your wedding.
