Filling in the RSVP Card Names

I need opinions! Please and thank you!

If I didn't know the spouse or guest's name I just wrote "and guest." They get the idea.

I don't think you can just assume that people will know to bring a guest. And I'd be worried with your RSVP option that people wouldn't know to fill in their guest's name or not realize that that means they get to bring a guest.

Why don't you want to address it to "Jane Doe and Guest"?

I used a belly band as my inner envelope. Like this:

Same as BringonMay!...I just sent mine a few weeks ago and deadline is 5/29 so I don't have a ton but if I had help I would've pre-filled all names, but I did number the back. So many people don't know how to fill and return properly. Do what will save your sanity, LBVS!

I thought about filling in the guests name on the RSVP card too. But I wonder if not everyone invited could make it, would the invitee then cross out names??

I put two lines on every card. If it was a single person I put their name on the top line and left the bottom one open for them to write their plus one on. Either people don't want to bring a plus one or they don't realize they can bring a guest. I wish I had put and "&" beside the second line. Now I have to find out for sure because I feel bad

I don't like the idea of filling in the person's name on their rsvp card. To me it seems a little tacky. But since you aren't doing an inner envelope, it might make sense!

You could do the "_2_ seats have been reserved in your honour" line on your RSVPs, where you fill out the number invited. The single people would know they get a guest, and that way they could fill out the guest's name. If you pre-fill the line with "Guest", you won't know whose name to put on the seating chart/place card.

I filled in the rsvp card because 1. I didn't want anyone sending it back without a name and 2. I didn't want anyone to try and add on a plus 1 if they weren't invited with one.

Instead of filling in the name line, maybe include a quick note saying they are more than welcome to bring a guest? That way you avoid writing "and guest" on the envelope and the RSVP name line too.

Normally as the bride you fill in the "M" line on the RSVP card and then you add a line for them to write in the other person's name with (guest) preceding the second line, if you're allowing them to bring a guest. Then for your outer/inner envelope you're addressing it to the person(s) that you actually sent it to. I have a lot of couples choosing to do RSVP postcards so that they can save on their budget with purchasing extra envelopes.

@Serein_Invites: I've never received an invitation like that and I've never met anybody who did that.

My RSVPs were preprinted with the invited persons name and "guest______" if they were given a +1. We still had at least 5 people write in additional names. I think it helped but if you're looking for avoid people just adding their own +1 good luck.

I've seen several ladies here try several techniques. All ending up with extra add ons

Thank you everyone!

I'm not so much trying to prevent extra guests, as I am trying to make sure people know they can bring one...

The names of all of those invited will be on the inner envelope. I plan on numbering the back of each RSVP card and have it corresponding to their row in my Excel spreadsheet where I keep track of the guest list, so if anyone forgets to fill in a name I still know whose it is. We are having plated dinner options so hopefully they're smart enough to right a name next to their food choice (since it says "please indicate the meal choice for each guest"), so hopefully they're guest's name is down by the meal options. If they don't write down everyone's name by the meal choices or add extra guests, I'll contact them at that time.

@Jane -

Where did you find belly bands that would fit around a pocket fold?? All the ones I've found are only for 5x7 invitations...

Cards and pockets. That's where I bought my pockets too.