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What does RSVP mean and how does it work?

RSVP comes from the French Répondez s’il vous plaît, which means “please reply.” It’s the line asking your guests to let you know whether they’re coming.

3 min read Updated RSVP tracking

What is an RSVP?#

RSVP is the polite way an invitation asks a guest to say whether they’ll be there. On a printed invitation it comes with a phone number underneath, and the guest is expected to call. In practice that rarely works: nobody calls, and the couple ends up phoning everyone one by one.

On a digital invitation the same thing takes one tap. Your guest already has the invitation open; the reply button is right in front of them.

How it works in Vowlia#

  1. Leave the RSVP switch on

    While entering your invitation details, leave the RSVP toggle in the extras section switched on.

  2. Your guest opens the invitation

    They tap the link — no app to install, no account to create.

  3. They reply

    The invitation has “attending / can’t make it” options inside it. They can add their name if they want to, but they can reply without it.

  4. The reply lands in your list

    You see who’s coming under My Invitation → Guests. More: tracking RSVP replies.

Why it matters#

  • Venue and catering: where you’re charged per head, the estimated number is money.
  • Seating plan: laying out tables without knowing who’s coming is hard work.
  • Favors and gifts: how many you order depends on the number of replies.
  • Travel and accommodation: you need to know in advance how many are coming from out of town.

How to get more replies#

  • Ask for it plainly in the wording: “You can let us know whether you’re coming from the invitation itself.”
  • Send the invitation at the right time.
  • Find out the date your venue needs final numbers, and build your timeline around it.

Do guests have to enter their name?#

No. A guest can reply in two ways:

They reply with their name

They type their name in. Your list shows who’s coming name by name — which makes the seating plan much easier.

They reply without a name

They just say “attending”. You don’t see their name, but you do know one more person is coming.

That flexibility is deliberate: every extra step costs you replies. If the name were required, some guests simply wouldn’t answer at all. This way you secure the number and still collect as many names as you can.

How is it written — RSVP or R.S.V.P.?
Both are used. The common form today is without the periods: RSVP.
Do I have to reply if I can’t come?
Yes — that’s exactly what an RSVP is for. A “can’t make it” is just as useful to the couple as a yes, because the numbers go to the venue either way.
Can I see who’s coming by name?
Guests who entered their name appear by name. Those who didn’t appear as an unnamed attendance — counted in the total, but without a name attached.
Can a guest change their mind?
They can open the same link again and update their answer; your list shows the latest reply.
Can guests see each other’s replies?
No. Replies are visible only to the invitation’s owner and the co-host, if there is one.