Two appropriate forms of requesting an acknowledgment are displayed on these invitations, both of which bring to mind fond memories of joyous celebrations!
Longing to send out an invitation and host a little party again? Hosting a party is now coming to fruition after the seemingly endless Covid quarantine. Having recently attended several outdoor receptions in Palm Beach, with guests vaccinated and serving staff masked, an important invitation detail came to mind to share with you!
When composing an invitation with an acknowledgment request, do you know which side of an invitation the R.s.v.p. (French for “Respondez s’il vous plait”) is placed? Is it on the lower-right corner, or... the lower-left corner?
It is placed on the lower-left corner of the invitation!
Respondez s’il vous plait may be written as R.s.v.p. with a capital R and a lowercase s.v.p. The other form is R.S.V.P. in capital letters. The preferred form, and the one I use, is R.s.v.p. It is what Mummy taught me.
“The favour of reply is requested” is another proper acknowledgment request. I use this on my formal invitations, as it relays a touch of old-world charm and formality to the occasion.
I chose this phrase for my wedding reception invitation because the British spelling of “Favour” reminded me of my beloved English father.
Even though this is a formal invitation, it was sent to dear friends who celebrate the same Aries birthday with my husband, whom we now refer to as ‘The Rambunctious Rams,’ and hence, the wording was meant to be amusing!
And, yes, it is appropriate to use the phrase “Regrets only,” along with a phone number, email address, or both, but it is considered less formal than using R.s.v.p.
When including a phone number, email address, or both, it is preferable to have it indicated underneath the R.s.v.p., on a separate line if space allows.
Grandmillennial Tip:
The “dress attire” is placed on the lower-right corner of an invitation, and is always included on a formal invitation. I remember this by thinking: dress right!
Forbidden Faux Pas:
No-no: To not respond as soon as possible, at least within 2 or 3 days upon receiving an invitation requesting an R.s.v.p. acknowledgment.
No-no: When a formal invitation is sent and does not have a response card enclosed, it is expected that you will respond on your own writing paper, in third person (Mrs. R. Stuart Holden, Jr. accepts with pleasure the kind invitation of…). If a response card is not included, it is a no-no to phone or email your response, even if you know them well.
Note the selective wording on the lower-left corner indicated for this stately, fundraising luncheon. An acknowledgment request card accompanied the invitation.
*Correction: Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the magnificent milliner in London with a Royal Warrant is located at 20 Crown Passage.
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