What does RSVP stand for? Meaning, origin, and how to reply

RSVP stands for répondez s’il vous plaît - French for “please reply.” On an invitation, it means the host is asking you to confirm whether you’re coming, either way. It does not mean “reply only if you’re attending” - a no is exactly as useful to the host as a yes.

Why invitations still use a French phrase

The abbreviation crossed into English etiquette in the 19th century, when French was the language of formal society, and it simply never left. Today it survives every format change - printed cards, emails, and invitations sent as a text or WhatsApp message - because the job it does hasn’t changed: the host needs a headcount.

What RSVP means on a wedding card

On wedding invitations, RSVP usually comes with a reply-by date - “RSVP by May 10th” - because the venue and caterer need final numbers weeks before the day. If you’re deciding on that date for your own wedding, we’ve written a full guide to choosing your RSVP deadline.

What “regrets only” means

“Regrets only” flips the default: the host assumes you’re coming, and you only need to reply if you can’t make it. It saves replies for casual events, but for anything with assigned seats or catering counts, a full RSVP is safer for everyone.

How to reply to an RSVP

• Reply by the deadline, even if the answer is no.
• Answer for exactly the people named on the invitation - don’t add plus-ones that weren’t offered.
• Mention anything the host asked about, like meal choice or dietary needs.
• If your plans genuinely might change, say “not sure yet” now and update the host as soon as you know.

If you’re the host, the easiest way to get those replies is to make answering effortless: an invitation that arrives in WhatsApp with Yes / No / Not sure buttons gets answered in seconds, and reminders can chase the rest.