RSVP with names?

bdpbride

I am looking to find a way to word the rsvp's so that I know exactly who is coming.  We are inviting a lot of families and while we do anticipate that a yes rsvp will mean the full family/couple is coming, we know that probably won't be the case for all.  So many of the guests are from out of town so there are many cases where only one parent will come or one parent and one or two of the kids but not all.  So I really want to find a well written way that asks not only the standard, accepts or regrets, but knowing who in that family is coming. 

We have to do a seating chart AND I have to rent high chairs/booster chairs for children because our venue doesn't have any.  So this is the reason I need to know the specifics.  Anyone have a good way to word this?
TIA

libby2483

Well, usually guests write the names of those attending on the M___________________ line.  But if you are serving a plated meal and need to know guests entree choices, you could also say, "Please initial each guest's entree choice".  Then you would have everyone's initials as well.

bdpbride

I don't so much need meal choices and I know typically you put the M_______________ but I was worried that maybe only the person sending back the rsvp would put just their name or the couples name and fail to put children on there.  If children are invited is it common knowledge that you would add them to the M___ line if they are coming?

My main concern is the number of kids since I have to have seating arrangements brought into our venue.  I don't want to leave anyone out but don't want to rent a bunch of stuff we won't use either.

Thanks!

AddieCake

We wrote everyone's names in on that line on the response card, and the people who were not coming, they wrote us a note on it saying, "It will just be me; Ralph will be gone on business," so that worked out great for us.  You could always call to clarify once your RSVPs start coming back so you'll have the specific info. 

poodlemom13

So it is okay for us to write the names in of the guests invited on the RSVP card and they can just check the box declines or accepts?  That would prevent anyone from sending it back without filling in the line, which I've heard happens. 

What are your thoughts on having both a box for accepts/declines and another line

___Number of guests attending line?

bdpbride

I kind of like the addition of the No of guests attending line - I think that will help along with the names line to make sure I know who of the fam is going to  be there.

I have heard that if you put that in, someone might write in 5 thinking they are coming and bringing their kids when you only sent the invite to the parents - or if you sent the invite to a friend and they decided to write in 2 and bring a friend you weren't anticipating on coming... so you have to be prepared for that and how you want to handle it.