Response Card wording

sdgirl92123

I am helping a friend print her invitations and we are trying to find some wording to indicate on the response card to let guets know that it's not ok to bring a guest or extra people with them. I know that you are supposed to write the names of the invited guests on the inner envelope but, not everyone will understand that and follow ettiquette.

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

ephoffman

In my opinion, if someone returns an invite and they didn't get that only the people on the invite are invited, then you'll need to call and politely explain to them that there is limited space (or whatever), and you cannot accomodate additional guests. It's their breach of etiquette to do that, not yours.

But I think you underestimate that, I think most people will get it no problem.

Calumet

Some people write

___ Number of Seats have been reserved in your honor 

or 

___ of 2 guests attending

Honestly, I think the latter is a bit rude, but its just my personal preference.

And neither will necessarily stop people. We've all heard the horror stories of guests crossing out the number on the response card!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

It's kind of a breach of etiquette to assume your guests won't follow etiquette. Just deal with it after the fact if it comes up.

brookelynpaisley

You'll have to call them and let them know you can't accomodate their guest.

Although you could do the "____ seats have been reserved for your party" or whatever. However, if you invite Tom and Sue and Tom can't come, that opens it up for Sue to bring someone else. You did, after all, reserve 2 spots.
 
Please keep in mind that if you're not allowing singles to bring a date, you have to allow for "established" couples, i.e. long-term, living together, engaged. Be prepared that if you're only allowing married couples, you're going to ruffle some feathers with established social units.

tlv204

You could also actually put the guests name on the RSVP, but that takes a lot more time and effort. i.e., instead of

M___________________
__will attend
__will not attend

you could actually write in their names with no space to put anyone extra.

Ms. Alicia Smith
__will attend
__will not attend

But I agree that you're probably overestimating how much this will happen.  1 or 2 people might be that presumptuous, then the bride or groom (or parents possibly) just call that person and tell them that the invitation was only meant for them.

jme35

We did this:

Two seats have been reserved in your honor

Mr. & Mrs. John Smith