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How do you pronounce RSVP?

Answered by the UK Wedding Websites editorial team · Updated 2026-10-12 · For guests

Short answer

You pronounce RSVP by saying each letter: 'are ess vee pee'. Some people say the full French phrase 'Répondez s'il vous plaît', but in the UK the letter-by-letter version is standard and universally understood.

In the UK, RSVP is almost always spoken as individual letters: 'are ess vee pee'. You do not say 'er-svip' or any other single word version. When you read the invitation aloud, you might say 'please RSVP by the 1st of June', pronouncing each letter clearly. If you prefer to use the French phrase, you would say 'ray-pon-day seel voo play', but this is rare in everyday conversation and may sound overly formal. On written invitations, you can simply write 'RSVP' or 'R.S.V.P.' with full stops. Both are correct. The important thing is that your guests understand what you mean: please reply. If you are worried that some guests may not know the term, you can add a plain English line such as 'Please reply by...' underneath or instead. This is especially helpful for older relatives or guests who may not have seen the abbreviation before. You can also include clear instructions on your wedding website. The pronunciation matters less than the clarity of your request, so do not stress about it. Just make sure the reply date and method are obvious, and guests will know exactly what to do.

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