How to Word Your Wedding RSVP So Guests Actually Respond

After hosting weddings at Adler Ranch for years, we’ve learned something simple but important: unclear invitations create unclear responses. Couples assume guests understand expectations. Guests assume flexibility. And somewhere in that gray space, RSVP deadlines get ignored.

The wording on your RSVP card — and on your wedding website — quietly sets the tone for how seriously guests treat your invitation. This isn’t about being strict. It’s about being clear. Because clarity reduces stress later. How to Word Your Wedding RSVP So Guests Actually Respond starts with one decision: are you going to lead, or are you going to hope?