To Respond Card or Not To

In the last couple of weeks, I've received invitations to four weddings. The first three invitations had an email or telephone RSVP while the fourth had a traditional mail-in reply card. This experience reflects a growing trend for couples to skip the reply card and use an alternate method for hearing from their guests.

But I have to confess - I love the traditional reply card!

Why? For four reasons:

(1) As a stationery designer, I love a chance to use stationery. I love the act of writing out my name on the "M____" line, feeling the crunch of my pen on the fine paper. I appreciate the fact that the couple has carefully chosen their wedding stationery to reflect them and to set the tone for the upcoming event.

(2) As someone who uses email and electronic communication on a daily basis, I love the tradition behind the printed reply card. It's a break from the every day, causing me to slow down and take a moment to think of the bride and groom.

(3) As a busy mom and businessperson, the reply card is really, really convenient. I can write out my RSVP, pop it into the mailbox and I'm done. I don't have to remember to boot up my computer (yes, I admit, I forgot to RSVP for one of the weddings, because I filed away the invitation away and forgot to send that email).

(4) As a wife and former bride, I treasure the box of reply cards that I saved from my wedding. Each one is written with the names of our special guests, some of whom are now deceased. The little notes on many of the reply cards are humorous, joyful and poignant, and take me right back to those precious pre-nuptual days that seem so long ago. What an incredible keepsake for my husband and me, and for our two daughters when their turn comes.

Don't get me wrong - I understand the reasoning behind using email and phone for RSVP. It's convenient, it saves money and it can fit well with a casual wedding. Many of our customers choose this method of RSVP'ing, and we have many eloquent ways of wording such an RSVP.

But I hope that my perspective as a guest helps illuminate the "pro" side for using a reply card. The reply card can actually be a lovely component of your invitation ensemble, not the out-dated piece that you might think it to be. Even a contemporary wedding is enhanced by the selective incorporation of traditional touches which have stood the test of time. Best wishes! - Heidi

Article originally published in Heidi's Paper Musings, © Botanical PaperWorks Inc.