How to Set Up Online RSVPs for Your Wedding

Start by choosing a wedding website builder that includes an RSVP feature. Most wedding website services let you create a page where guests can reply, choose their meal, and tell you about dietary needs. You do not need to be technical. The system does the hard work for you.

When you set up your RSVP, think about what you need to know. At the very least, ask for each guest's name, whether they are coming, and their meal choice if you are having a sit-down meal. You can also ask about dietary needs, accessibility requirements, and song requests. Keep the form short. Long forms put people off.

Make sure your form works on a phone. Many guests will reply on their mobile, so test it before you send it out. You can ask a friend or family member to try it first. If they get stuck, your guests will too.

Your wedding website can do more than collect RSVPs. It can hold your story, venue details, travel information, and your gift list. But the RSVP page is the most important part. Give it a clear name, such as "RSVP" or "Replies", and link to it from your main menu.

When you build the RSVP page, add a simple form. Most builders let you add fields for names, attendance, and meal choices. You can usually set up the form to allow guests to reply for their whole household. That saves them time and saves you from getting separate replies for children or partners.

If you are having multiple events, such as a ceremony, a reception, and a morning-after brunch, add a separate question for each event. That way guests can say yes to one and no to another. Some builders let you create separate RSVP pages for each event, but a single page with clear questions is often simpler.

Online RSVP works like a digital reply card. You send guests a link to your wedding website, or a QR code that takes them straight to the RSVP page. They fill in their details, click submit, and you see their reply in your dashboard.

The system usually sends you an email or notification when someone replies. You can log in at any time to see who has said yes, who has said no, and who has not replied yet. Many builders also let you export the list to a spreadsheet, which makes it easy to share with your venue or caterer.

You control the deadline. Set a date for replies, usually two to four weeks before the wedding. After that, the system can automatically close the form. You can then chase anyone who has not replied by phone or email.

You can create an online invitation with an RSVP link built in. Many wedding website builders offer digital invitations that you send by email or text. You can also design your own and include a link or QR code.

If you are sending a paper invitation, add a small card with your wedding website address and a QR code. Guests can scan the code with their phone camera and go straight to the RSVP page. This works well for older guests too, as long as the code is printed clearly and the page is simple.

Make sure your invitation wording is clear. Say something like: "Please reply by 1 June using the link on our wedding website." If you are using a QR code, add a short line: "Scan the code to reply." Do not assume everyone knows what to do. Some guests may never have used a QR code before, so also print the web address in full.

Your RSVP form should ask only what you really need to know. A good starting list is:

• Full name of each guest
• Will you attend? Yes or no
• If yes, how many in your party?
• Meal choice for each guest (if you are serving a set menu)
• Dietary needs or allergies
• Any accessibility requirements, such as wheelchair access or a quiet space
• A space for a short message or song request, if you want one

Do not ask for unnecessary details like ages or addresses. Keep it simple. If you have children at the wedding, ask for their names and ages so you can plan high chairs or children's meals. If you are inviting plus-ones, ask guests to name their guest so you know who is coming.

For dietary needs, give a free-text box. Do not try to list every possible allergy. Guests can write exactly what they need. If you have a set menu, list the options clearly and ask guests to choose. You can also add a note: "If you have any allergy, please tell us here."

Most wedding website builders let you add a meal choice question to your RSVP form. You can list your menu options, such as chicken, fish, vegetarian, or vegan. Each guest can choose their own meal. If you are having a buffet, you may not need meal choices, but you should still ask about dietary needs.

For dietary needs, use a text box. Ask guests to write any allergies or intolerances. You can also ask if they need a children's meal. If you have guests with complex needs, such as coeliac disease or a nut allergy, you can follow up personally after they reply.

Once replies start coming in, keep a running list of meal choices and dietary needs. You can export this from your dashboard and send it to your caterer. Check it a few days before the wedding to make sure you have not missed anyone. If a guest has not replied, chase them before the deadline.

Your wedding website dashboard is where you see all replies. It usually shows a list of guests, their response, and their meal choices. You can see at a glance who has replied and who has not. Some builders send you a daily summary by email.

Use the tracking tools to stay organised. Mark guests as "replied" or "not replied". If a guest says no, you can remove them from your count. If a guest says yes but has not chosen a meal, you can contact them. You can also set reminders for yourself to chase late replies.

When the deadline passes, export your final list. Share it with your venue, caterer, and anyone else who needs numbers. Keep a copy for yourself. Your dashboard is your source of truth, so check it regularly and update it if plans change.

Share your RSVP link in several ways so no one misses it. Put it on your wedding website, on your paper invitations, and in any emails or texts you send. If you are using a QR code, print it on your invitation card and on a small sign at your venue, if you have a last-minute guest.

When you send the link, make it easy to copy and paste. Do not use a long, complicated web address. Most wedding website builders give you a short custom address, such as yournames.wedding. If you cannot get a short one, use a QR code instead.

Remind guests to reply by a specific date. You can send a gentle reminder two weeks before the deadline and again a few days before. If you are using a wedding website with a guest list, you can send private messages to guests who have not replied. Do not be afraid to chase people. It is normal and expected.