How to RSVP for a Party

What happens after you receive an invitation is an event in itself. There is a proper etiquette for responding to a party invitation and we are about to discuss just that. Whether you plan on attending or skipping the party, here are the proper ways on how to RSVP for a party.

Prompt response.

When someone sends out party invitations that include RSVP, it means that they expect a prompt response. It’s a good idea to sit right down, check your calendar, and reply to the invitation.

When you can’t attend.

If for some reason you are unable to attend, or if you just would rather not go, make sure to include a reason why. To simply check off “will not attend” without explanation could seem very rude.

Offer thanks.

We also recommends calling the person who sent the invite and offering thanks, whether you plan on going to the event or not.

Bringing guests.

You should never bring along an extra guest unless the invitation explicitly states that you should do so by listing both of your names or including “and guest.”

Large parties.

Even if it’s an invitation to a huge event and you think that your absence will not be noticed, you should still take the time to respond to the invitation. After all, somebody went to the trouble to send it to you, so a quick reply is only proper.

Send a Gift

If the invitation is from a close friend and you are genuinely apologetic about not being to attend, sending a gift, if appropriate for the party, is the best way to go about it. Gifts should only be sent in for a house warming, child’s birthday, wedding or other such occasions when you would have taken one AND your relationship with the host is close enough.

On a Side note

What does RSVP mean?

In the context of social invitations, RSVP is a request for a response from the invited person or people. It is an initialism derived from the French phrase répondez s’il vous plaît, meaning “please respond”.