Répondez s'il vous plaît ~ all you need to know

A guide to RSVP's ~ all you need to know, what to include and how to do it for your wedding invitations.

Every wedding day is a multitude of moving parts, all of which need to be carefully thought through, communicated to those needing to know and eventually pinned down. Nothing easier! But taken one step at a time, it can be done. And one of many steps I’ve helped my couples with over the years is the all-essential RSVP.

With the RSVP or in full "Répondez s'il vous plaît", it’s all in the title, and when translated into English, you're asking people to ‘please respond’. As with all good communication, it’s a two-way process. You have prepped your guest with the save the date, shared all the carefully planned details in your beautiful invitations, and it’s now over to them. The RSVP is your chance to get all the personalised information you need to finalise plans, cater for any specific needs and help your wedding day run like a dream.

Here are my essential tips for a successful RSVP:

Types of RSVP

There are many, many ways to tackle the RSVP, ranging from physical cards, through to directing people to your wedding website, or a mix of paper and digital. I’ve seen it done well, in all sorts of different ways. What matters most is finding the best way for you as a couple and the type of event you’re planning. Here are the main types you may want to consider:

The physical card

• This can be a separate card, sent out with your invitations. This option can include a pre-printed or blank envelope for guests to return their responses.

  
  

• Postcard style, where guests simply need to pop on a stamp to return it.

  
  

• Integrated into the invitation. This works best with concertina or Z-fold styles, where your guests can cut off the RSVP section and return it. Again, envelopes can be included or designed as a postcard.

Digital Options

• If you’re using a wedding website, the URL linking guests to the section where they RSVP can be included in the invitation design, along with a QR code. These are not the prettiest things, but they are very effective at getting guests directly to where they need to be on your site.

  
  

• Request responses via phone or email. Add your details to the invitations and the information you need to know.

Sometimes there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but that’s the beauty of my service, where I can create more than one option for you.  A physical RSVP to those who would most appreciate that approach, and instructions on how to respond digitally for your guests who would find that easiest.

What to include

Don’t be afraid to be too direct here, as the clearer you are about what information you need, the more likely you are to get it on the first try.

• Guest names – since there will usually be more than one person per RSVP, space is needed for all included. You can either add the names or leave a space for them.

  
  

• Yes or no acceptance boxes – the wording of this is up to you, but gladly accept/sadly decline is tried and tested.

  
  

• Any dietary requirements.

  
  

• The date by which you need a response.

  
  

• Details of how to respond. This could be the address to send the card back to, or email/phone/website where they can respond.  

  Top Tip: Create a separate email account for people to respond to, so all details are easy to find in one place.

Optional extras

This is your chance to finalise more of those important logistics, such as opting in or out of transport, accommodation or additional events going on around the wedding date.

Or for something more fun to get your guests invested in the day, give them space to request a song to get them up on the dance floor.

Getting a response

Everyone loves a wedding! And your family and friends love you, so getting the majority of RSVPs returned shouldn’t be too difficult. But as often happens when lots of human beings are involved, it’s rarely simple, and logic can go out of the window. Also, the time, energy and cost you have put into getting your plans so far may be invisible to a lot of your guests. This means people will get distracted, procrastinate, dither a bit, but hopefully get to it in good time. Your guest will also need time to make their own plans for work, childcare, transport, finances, etc, so patience is needed.

To save yourself frustration, make the return process as simple as possible and accept that a few of your guests will need their hands held through the process. There could be many reasons for a lack of responses, practical, emotional and in some cases, maybe fear. This may sound dramatic, but while some people will have no problem confidently replying yes, please or a regretful no straight away, others may find it harder. Taking the time and empathy here to follow up with any guests who are late with returning their RSVP will make your celebrations all the richer.

Timeline

Finally, when does this all need to happen? This will vary depending on your celebrations, but typically, venues/caterers need final numbers 4-8 weeks before the wedding. I recommend adding a further month onto that for your RSVP deadline, to give yourself time to gather all the information and chase any stragglers.

If you need further inspiration, my house collections can be found here, all of which come with an RSVP design ready to go. I would love to hear about your plans, and to get us started, my enquiry form can be found here.

Love Fran xxx

The House Collections – How They Work for your wedding stationery

Every couple I work with is unique, but often what they need from their wedding stationery has lots of common threads. For couples who don’t want to start from scratch, I’ve cherry-picked the best of my work to establish my house collections. These are here to give you tried and tested templates for everything you need to bring your wedding together, from save-the-dates and invitations to on-the-day details.

You can find all of my house collections here: HOUSE COLLECTIONS

These get updated and added to during the year, with some new ones coming this autumn/winter.

The Gardiner house collection

Each of my house collections offers a different, elegant, and luxurious theme, with designs established for every item of stationery you may need. For these, I have drawn on my specialism in hand illustrations, watercolour art, and calligraphy to add that authentic personal touch. All my collections are designed and created by me, by hand in the studio, before being digitised and crafted into the final design, ready to be customised with your information for your wedding.

When considering a house collection, it’s essential to note that the designs themselves are set; however, there's potential to add your spark by customising elements such as colours of the fonts. And you don’t need to stop there; many finishing touches can be added, depending on your budget, including a bespoke venue illustration and map, or a precious pet or favourite flowers. I’m happy to discuss all options with you.

As ordering wedding stationery is not something you do every day, here’s a closer look at how the process works. To start with, it’s always a two-way collaboration. Working closely together, I will help you bring your ideas and aspirations to life.

Your step-by-step guide to commissioning my house collection wedding stationery services:

(Including a suggested timeline for each part - these are only a guide, and actual timeframes will be agreed on an individual basis)

The Florence House Collection

Initial enquiry

This is quick and easy to do through my website (Link Here). This form gives me the essential details I need to get us started.

Timeline: Ideally, 12 months before the big day or as much time as you can.

Consultation call

We meet, and depending on where you are in the world, this can be by Zoom, phone or in person. During this initial chat, I can show you in more detail what I offer, and it’s a chance for me to learn more about you, your plans and how I can help. There’s no commitment required at this stage—we’re simply exploring whether we’re a good fit to work together. I will then provide you with a full quote based on the items we've discussed and you then choose what you'd like to go ahead with.

Your quote will be based on one of the house collection designs and any additional extras to be added in.

Timeline: 9-12 months to go

Complete my wording documents

You've chosen the items you want to go ahead with, you've selected the huose collection you want to use for your wedding stationery design. So this is where we delve into the finer details. To make this part as smooth and easy as possible, I’ve created custom forms for you to fill out with all the essential information I need about you, your guests, and plans for the day. These are broken down into separate forms to suit the different timelines for each item. So, they don’t all need to be filled out at once!

Timeline: This varies depending on the item being created, but I ask all the couples I work with to prioritise filling these in, because I can’t begin my work without them. So, it’s over to you!

My recommended timelines to get items in the post to your guests are:

Save the dates: 12-9 months before

Invitations: 6-4 months before

Complete my wording documents

This is where we get into the finer details, and to make this part as smooth and easy as possible, I’ve created custom forms for you to fill out with all the essential information I need about you, your guests and plans for the day. These are broken down into separate forms to suit the different timelines for each item. So, they don’t all need to be filled out at once!

Timeline: This varies depending on the items being created, but I would ask that the forms are filled in as quickly as you can once they have been sent to you. I can't do much of the design work until these forms are completed.

Bespoke elements if chosen ~ Drawing & painting

If you’ve decided to add a bespoke illustrations to a house collection, this is my time to get drawing and adapt the template to include your personal touch.

​Timeline: I like to give myself a month to complete this. So the overall turnaround time for invites will be slightly slower if you choose an additional bespoke option.

Proofs

With the high level of personalisation involved, I like to offer two rounds of digital proofs to ensure every detail is captured.  In my experience, this is usually plenty. But if plans change and further amendments to the design are needed, this additional work will be quoted for and charged accordingly. 

Timeline: From the time I receive your completed wording forms to the final sign-off, it usually takes 4 weeks. If no extra bespoke elements have been added. If you've opted for a bespoke illustration the lead time is usually around 8 weeks.

Printing and Processing

This is when the design becomes real, and once you're happy with your proofs, I'll send them off to one of my trusted network of printers. Then it’s back to the studio for the finishing touches to be added and final checks before being packaged and sent out to you. 

​Timeline: This is a very labour-intensive part of the process, but it’s worth putting the time in here to ensure you get the quality you are after. I like to allow 2 weeks for this stage.

Delivery!

If you are local to me, your items can be collected from Bitton or you can have them delivered via tracked postal service.

​​Timeline: I will work with you and your deadlines to ensure everything arrives in good time.

The Eloise House Collection

I hope this has helped you navigate the process and gain a sense of the time and care that go into each stage. Now, the final piece to consider is the budget. As you are not paying for a one-off design, there are great cost benefits to the house collection, while still allowing plenty of options to get creative. As every project is different, costs will vary depending on the number of items needed and any additions you choose. More details of my pricing can be found here.

With the house collections, there is a lot of inspiration to be found. With all the designs ready to go, it’s a simpler and more enjoyable process for you, without compromising on quality or style. If you have already picked your favourite, I would love to hear about it. My enquiry form can be found here to get us started!

Thanks for reading,

Love Fran x

Bespoke Wedding Stationery – How It All Works.

Bespoke quite simply means – made for you. And that’s why I love it, because it puts you as a couple at the heart of the process, which, without fail, delivers the best outcomes. I am always grateful to have the opportunity to create wedding stationery that is new, unique and truly personal. It’s a joy to develop a bespoke stationery design that captures you as a couple and then weave that design throughout each element of your wedding stationery to help set the tone for the big day.

My bespoke service includes everything you need to bring your wedding stationery together, from save-the-dates and invitations to on-the-day details. I specialise in hand drawings, watercolour illustrations, and calligraphy to add that authentic personal touch. All my designs are created by me, by hand in the studio, before digitising and crafting into the final items to be printed and assembled, ready to deliver.

There is a bespoke design fee which starts from £300 depending on level of detail, items required and how it's being used on for your wedding day.

As this is not an everyday service, here’s a closer look at how the process I have honed over the last few years works. To start with, it’s always a two-way collaboration. Working closely together, I will help you bring your ideas and aspirations to life and tell your love story in a way unique to you.

Your step-by-step guide to commissioning my bespoke wedding stationery services:

(Including a suggested timeline for each part - these are only a guide, and actual timeframes will be agreed on an individual basis)

Initial enquiry

This is quick and easy to do through my website (Link Here). This form gives me the essential details I need to get us started.

Timeline: Ideally, 12 months before the big day or as much time as you can.

Consultation call

We meet, and depending on where you are in the world, this can be by Zoom, phone or in person. During this initial chat, I can show you in more detail what I offer, and it’s a chance for me to learn more about you, your plans and how I can help. There’s no commitment required at this stage—we’re simply exploring whether we’re a good fit to work together. I will then provide you with a full quote based on the items we've discussed and you then choose what you'd like to go ahead with.

Timeline: 9-12 months to go

Design Development of your wedding stationery

Once terms and budget are agreed, the design work can begin! During this first stage, I like researching and creating a personalised moodboard to help generate your initial ideas and designs. You will receive a moodboard and set of sketches for your save the dates and invites.

Timeline: 9-12 months to go, this stage usually takes a couple of weeks for me to create.

Complete my wording documents

This is where we get into the finer details, and to make this part as smooth and easy as possible, I’ve created custom forms for you to fill out with all the essential information I need about you, your guests and plans for the day. These are broken down into separate forms to suit the different timelines for each item. So, they don’t all need to be filled out at once!

Timeline: This varies depending on the items being created, but I would ask that the forms are filled in as quickly as you can once they have been sent to you. I can't do much of the design work until these forms are completed.

Drawing, painting, designing of your wedding stationery

This is your time to take a break or, more realistically, deal with other wedding tasks while I get drawing!

Timeline: This usually takes around a month for me to complete once I've got your wording forms back and the initial moodboard and sketches are done - sometimes it's quicker, sometimes it's longer depending on the level of detail.

Proofs

Designs take time to develop, and I like to offer two rounds of digital proofs to get your feedback and ensure we are on track.  In my experience, this is usually plenty. But if plans change and further amendments to the design are needed, this additional work will be quoted for and charged at my hourly rate.

Timeline: From you receiving the initial design to the final sign-off usually takes 2 months for bespoke work.

Printing and Processing

This is when the design becomes real, and once you're happy with your proofs, I'll send them off to one of my trusted network of printers. Then it’s back to the studio for the finishing touches to be added and final checks before being packaged and sent out to you. 

​Timeline: This is a very labour-intensive part of the process, but it’s worth putting the time in here to ensure you get the quality you are after. I like to allow 2 weeks for this stage.

Delivery!

If you are local to me, your items can be collected from Bitton or you can have them delivered via tracked postal service.

​​Timeline: I will work with you and your deadlines to ensure everything arrives in good time.

I hope this gives you a clear sense of the process and the time and care that goes into each stage. Now, the final piece to consider is the budget. As every bespoke project is different, costs will vary depending on the complexity of the design, the number of items needed, and the finishes you choose. More details of my pricing can be found here.

If you’re ready to explore creating something truly personal for your big day, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you have a clear vision or just a few ideas, I’m here to help bring it all together. You can fill out my enquiry form here to get us started!

Thanks for reading,

Love Fran x