Rules of Responding

This morning over mimosas at Z’Tejas, my dear friend Sarah M. asked about the rules of etiquette regarding an RSVP to my upcoming engagement party. Her inquiry began a flurry of conversation among my brunch companions, and it made me realize that in today’s culture of evites & text message invites, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding the rules of ‘repondez-vous.’

It’s simple, really: every invitation deserves a response!

A few rules to live by to ensure you stay in the good graces of your party host:

1. Reply promptly. Even if your answer is “No,” your host needs to know. I recommend responding within two days of receiving an invitation when possible.
2. Short & Snappy. If you must decline, your host doesn’t need to hear a long, drawn-out excuse. We’re all adults, which means that attending a party is completely your choice! DO let your host know that you’ll regret missing out… do NOT make up a lie as an excuse. Remember, honesty is the best policy. You can always fall back on a “prior engagement” and leave it at that.
3. No Take-Backs: If you responded “Yes” but then have second thoughts… ignore them! Your host has put time and energy into planning the party, so make every effort to honor your commitment. If there’s an emergency that prevents you from attending, let your host know immediately so she can make necessary adjustments.

Following these RSVP do’s & dont’s takes a little effort, but is sure to keep your spot on the A-list… and more important, conveys respect and appreciation to the person inviting!