|
Reply
Card Etiquette…
What are your choices?
By
Tracy Bloom Schwartz,
CSEP
Those
in the know, know. The most proper reply would be sent on one's
personal stationary, engraved preferred, to the sender of the invitation.
As a host, you should not have to request the reply, as the invitee
would be aware of their responsibility in acknowledging the invitation.
However,
recognizing that we are living in the 21st century, the following
alternatives are recommended.
Reply
cards are the most common way used for an invitee to express
their plans for attending an event or not. Reply cards simply request:
"Please reply by July fifteenth." or "The favour
of a reply is requested by July fifteenth." It is important
let your guests know when you expect to hear from them. For your
busy guests, this options allows them to check off their response:
M_____________________________
Will
______ Attend
In
the event that you have to get specific information from your guests,
choice of a meal, or if they will be attending multiple events,
or if they will need you to supply golf clubs, you will have to
offer choices for specific replies.
M_____________________________
Will
______ Attend
Chicken
______
Meat ______
Fish ______
You could also select a reply card that simply has a request for
a reply and leave the card blank so that the invitee can write a
note.
Other
acceptable wording is "We look forward to hearing from you"
In
order to make it convenient for your guests to reply quickly, be
sure the reply envelope is addressed to the host and stamped.
For
less formal events, including luncheons, teas or fun celebrations,
have your name and phone number printed on the invitation.
E-mail is becoming popular for replies as well. Be sure to
give a name with a phone number if there are multiple hostess. People
are more comfortable calling if they know whom they are calling.
Wording
for the printed name and phone number could be RSVP, Kindly reply,
Please reply, Double dessert for prompt replies, etc.
Another
option to consider is "Regrets Only". We do not recommend
this option because in the end, you wonder who is planning to attend
the event. If you have to give an exact count to a caterer, this
option is very risky. This option also indicates to the invitee
that it is a large event and their presence is not crucial.
When
you are replying to an event, please reply on time. Imagine you
were the host, wouldn't you want to know who is coming to your special
event in time to give your guarantees and make appropriate plans?
Author's
Information:
Tracy Bloom Schwartz, CSEP 301-654-9292
Creative Parties, Ltd. tracybloom@cparties.com
8011 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.cparties.com
|
