What Does RSVP Mean? Meaning, Etiquette & How to Reply
What RSVP means and stands for, what it means on an invitation, the difference between RSVP and 'regrets only', what 'RSVP by' a date means, and exactly how to reply — with examples.
Updated August 7, 2026 · 2 min read
You've spotted "RSVP" on an invitation and you're not sure what it's asking. Here's the plain answer, what it means for you as a guest, and how to reply.
Quick answer: RSVP stands for the French "répondez s'il vous plaît" — "please reply." On an invitation it means the host wants you to confirm whether or not you'll attend, using the method they give, by the date stated — and you reply whether your answer is yes or no.
RSVP terms, decoded
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| RSVP | Please reply — tell the host yes or no |
| RSVP by [date] | The deadline for your reply |
| Regrets only | Reply only if you can't come; silence means yes |
| The favour of a reply is requested | A formal way of saying RSVP |
| RSVP for all named guests | Reply for everyone the invitation names |
What it means for you as a guest
If an invitation says RSVP, the host is asking you to respond — not just turn up (or not). To do it properly:
- Reply either way. Yes and no both matter; the host is counting.
- Reply by the date if one is given.
- Reply for everyone named on your invitation.
- Use the method asked for — the reply card, a website link, a phone number, or a text.
Do you reply even if you're not coming?
Yes — always. This is the single most common RSVP mistake. "RSVP" means "please reply," not "reply only if attending." A decline is as useful to the host as an acceptance, because they're finalising numbers for a caterer, venue, or seating chart. The only exception is an invitation that says "regrets only" — then you reply solely if you can't make it.
How to actually reply
A complete reply names who's coming, says yes or no clearly, and answers any questions:
Accepting: "Delighted to accept — two of us attending, thank you!"
Declining: "So sorry, we can't make it — wishing you a wonderful day."
For the full wording in every tone, see our wedding RSVP wording examples, and for the guest's side specifically, how to reply to a wedding invitation.
A note for hosts
If you're the one putting "RSVP" on an invitation, remember that the word alone doesn't guarantee replies — a clear date and an easy method do. "RSVP by June 5" with a one-tap link gets a far better response than a bare "RSVP" and a card to post back. Our digital invitations turn the RSVP into a single tap per guest, with a deadline built in — so "please reply" actually gets a reply.
Related guides
- Wedding RSVP wording examples — every RSVP line, formal to playful
- How to reply to a wedding invitation — the guest's reply in full
- When should wedding RSVPs be due? — what "RSVP by" should be set to
Quick answers
- What does RSVP stand for?
- RSVP stands for the French 'répondez s'il vous plaît', meaning 'please reply'. On an invitation it's a request for you to confirm whether or not you'll attend.
- What does RSVP mean on an invitation?
- It means the host is asking you to tell them whether you're coming — yes or no. You reply using the method given (reply card, website, phone or text), by the date stated, for everyone named on the invitation.
- Do you reply to an RSVP if you can't attend?
- Yes — always. RSVP means 'please reply', not 'reply only if coming'. A decline is just as important as an acceptance, because the host is counting heads. Only 'regrets only' invitations ask you to reply solely if you can't make it.
- What does 'RSVP by' a date mean?
- It's the deadline for your reply. 'RSVP by June 5' means the host needs your yes or no on or before June 5, usually so they can give final numbers to a caterer or venue. Reply by that date, not after.
- What is the difference between RSVP and 'regrets only'?
- RSVP asks everyone to reply, yes or no. 'Regrets only' asks you to reply only if you cannot attend — silence is taken as a yes. RSVP gives the host a reliable count; 'regrets only' is casual and less precise.