What does the "M" mean on an RSVP card?

The "M" is the start of your title

Formal RSVP cards borrow a convention from traditional stationery: rather than printing "Name," they print the first letter of the honorific and let you complete it. The M becomes Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Mx., followed by your name, written out:

• One guest: Ms. Priya Shah
• A married couple, shared name: Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rivera
• A couple, different names: Mr. Alex Rivera and Ms. Priya Shah
• A family: Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rivera and family, or list the children's first names if the card has room.

Titles that do not start with M, like Dr., Rev. or Capt., simply override the printed letter. Cross the M out lightly or write over it: "Dr. Dana Okafor." No one will mind. The line exists so the couple knows exactly who the card came from, which matters more than you might think once a hundred of them arrive.

Filling out the rest of the card

Most reply cards have three more elements, and each one is quick once you know what it is asking:

• The accept / decline line. Usually phrased "will attend / will not attend" or "accepts with pleasure / declines with regret." Tick or circle one. If the card leaves a blank, as in "____ will attend," that blank is for the number of guests attending.
• Number attending. Count everyone from your invitation who is coming, including yourself. Invited with a plus-one you are not bringing? Write 1, so the couple can release the seat.
• Meal choice. If entrées are listed, mark one per guest. Initials next to each choice ("AR: beef, PS: fish") save the couple a phone call.

Then mail it by the date on the card. If you are curious why that date is earlier than the wedding, or you are the couple deciding what to print, see when guests should RSVP by and our guide to RSVP wording and tracking.

If you are the couple: should you print the M line?

The M line signals a formal affair and produces tidy, complete names for your records. It also generates exactly the confusion that brought you to this page. If your wedding is not black-tie, a plain "Name(s)" label gets you the same information with zero puzzled guests. Whichever you choose, keep the reply card consistent with the invitation's formality, and give guests a clear RSVP-by date.

See the whole picture

Once the RSVPs are in, the real puzzle begins: who sits where. Seatful lets you build your seating chart free in your browser, place tables to scale, and print charts, place cards, and table numbers that match.