Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP

soon2bmrsrlh

What is the etiquette for putting a stamp on the RSVP envelope? I was under the impression that we should address and stamp the RSVP for our invitees. But recently a lot of the wedding invitations we've received have not had stamps on the RSVP. Thoughts??

snuff9861

They are supposed to be stamped. The only ones we didn't put stamps were international envelopes.

amymaysa

The RSVP should be sent with a stamp on it so guests can just complete them and send them back

meganb1977

I always thought they should be stamped.  We did postcards instead of reply cards with envelopes to save on postage!

[Deleted User]

Most people think that it's a courtisy (sp?) to include the stamp, especially if you really want them to mail back their RSVP card. The only reason that we by passed that whole process is back is that I didn't want to spend money on stamps, when probably only half of the people would mail back their RSVP card anyway. So we're having other ways for people to RSVP. If you don't put a stamp on it, don't complain if people don't want to go out, buy a stamp, and put it on the RSVP, and send it to you. That's just way too much effort for the guests.

Lisa50

Given that including response cards is over and above what's required by the rules of etiquette, providing postage is definitely not required.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_etiquette-for-providing-stamped-envelope-for-rsvp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:4fdd7a9b-1833-4dda-918f-530116a8b7e1Post:41887eeb-2360-40bd-90ae-0905bab37e14">Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP</a>:
[QUOTE]Given that including response cards is over and above what's required by the rules of etiquette, providing postage is definitely not required.
Posted by Lisa50[/QUOTE]

<div>So you think it proper etiquette to make your guests pay to notify you?  Tacky!</div><div>
</div><div>It is etiquette and courtesy to have the RSVP's sent with appropriate postage. </div>

MobKaz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_etiquette-for-providing-stamped-envelope-for-rsvp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:4fdd7a9b-1833-4dda-918f-530116a8b7e1Post:24287890-f025-4f6c-b4ec-dcc3c5d801cf">Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP : No, I think she means that rsvp cards and postage are a fairly new thing. It used to be that you would send out an invitation (sans rsvp card) and the recipient would respond on their best stationary in a handwritten note whether or not they could attend the wedding. I think of it this way, if you're going to provide an rsvp card you need to provide a stamp.
Posted by lovethebeach16[/QUOTE]

I would be curious to hear your definition of "fairly new thing".  I have been married for 34 years.  Our invitations <em>way back then </em>absolutely included a stamped, RSVP card.

Ironically, the problem with "alternative" response methods is that not everyone is capable of responding by way of internet.  I am guessing that the days of "best stationary" and <em>handwritten notes </em>no longer exist for some people. 

If you are looking for the most reliable and consist form of response, include a <em>stamped </em>response card.

cwaggoner07

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_etiquette-for-providing-stamped-envelope-for-rsvp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:4fdd7a9b-1833-4dda-918f-530116a8b7e1Post:1d2a8150-e685-4738-bbc3-4c1b876b6320">Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP</a>:
[QUOTE]I always thought they should be stamped.  We did postcards instead of reply cards with envelopes to save on postage!
Posted by meganb1977[/QUOTE]

We did the same! We saved money, and no one thought twice about the difference!

hoffse

If you're going to provide them, they should be stamped.

naomikb

Yes, they should be stamped.  We even stamped our international ones.

aragx6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_etiquette-for-providing-stamped-envelope-for-rsvp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:4fdd7a9b-1833-4dda-918f-530116a8b7e1Post:5753b033-f92f-46bb-8b14-1d34389b80b5">Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, they should be stamped.  <strong>We even stamped our international ones.
</strong>Posted by naomikb[/QUOTE]

Unless you stamped them with each country's own stamps then that was pointless. You can't send something from, say, France, with US postage on it no matter how many stamps you used.

kaos16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_etiquette-for-providing-stamped-envelope-for-rsvp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:4fdd7a9b-1833-4dda-918f-530116a8b7e1Post:1d2a8150-e685-4738-bbc3-4c1b876b6320">Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP</a>:
[QUOTE]I always thought they should be stamped.  We did postcards instead of reply cards with envelopes to save on postage!
Posted by meganb1977[/QUOTE]

this might be a dumb question, but do postcards cost less to mail than a regular envelope?

melissa199

32 cents VS. 45 cents. Adds up fast.

aragx6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_etiquette-for-providing-stamped-envelope-for-rsvp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:4fdd7a9b-1833-4dda-918f-530116a8b7e1Post:b2ea905c-c166-46db-be93-41873c5e758d">Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP : this might be a dumb question, but do postcards cost less to mail than a regular envelope?
Posted by kaos16[/QUOTE]

Yup!

HobokensFury

They should be stamped. I definitely notice and side eye RSVP cards without postage. I don't send them back because I shouldn't have to pay. I call them up or wait for them to call me.

jomoni10

Do postcards if you want to, thats what we did, but people now a day just don't send them back like they should, even my aunt when I asked her if she was coming since I didn't get the self addressed stamped rsvp back and she said " oh was I supposed to send that back?" I felt like it was a big waste and have noticed the other girls that had other methods of rsvping got way more back. I even got some sent back in an envelop with anther stamp! I guess make sure they look like stamps and not pretty pictures or people might just think you put stickers on them...

kennazebrowsky

We made our RSVP Cards a postcard (CHEAPER POSTAGE), had the return address and stamp on it already. We pretty much got everyone back- maybe 2 people did not return it at all.

melisrodis

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_etiquette-for-providing-stamped-envelope-for-rsvp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:4fdd7a9b-1833-4dda-918f-530116a8b7e1Post:5753b033-f92f-46bb-8b14-1d34389b80b5">Re: Etiquette for Providing Stamped Envelope for RSVP</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, they should be stamped.  <strong>We even stamped our international ones</strong>.
Posted by naomikb[/QUOTE]

How did you do this?  Since about half of our invitations are going to one other country, I am having FMIL send over stamps from that country so that I can put them on the response cards.  But I don't know what to do about all the other random countries people are in -- Italy, UK, and the Philippines to name a few.  Any advice?  I don't want to spend the $5+ for international return postage...