Formal invitations might be increasingly uncommon, but that’s no excuse for not responding correctly.
Fortunately Tatler magazine has shed light on the issue by producing a guide on the most appropriate way to RSVP for any occasion.
Entitled the ‘RSVP etiquette: The modern rules’, writer Sophia Money-Coutts takes readers through the steps of sending the perfect reply.
From how best to respond for emails to the times where excuses are not appropriate, we take a look at the magazine’s tips…
Fashion magazine Tatler have produced a guide to the correct way to RSVP to a party invite
RSVP immediately
According to Tatler, ‘stylishly late’ does not apply when it comes to confirming your attendance, and delaying it will simply lead to upsetting the host – and a less hospitable welcome when the event comes around.
If it’s paperless post your window to reply is even shorter as your host can see you’ve opened the invite. Do it and pronto.
… Unless it’s for a holiday
The appropriate response time stretches to a two-day window in the case of holidays like Christmas. In these instances let the host know you will speak to your partner or family and respond at your earliest convenience.
Entitled the ‘RSVP etiquette: The modern rules’, writer Sophia Money-Coutts reveals how to pen the perfect reply
Keep your word – and don’t lie
Once you have responded, do not flake at the last minute. Put yourself in your host’s shoes and treat them accordingly.
If you forget to reply then simply own up to the oversight and apologise profusely to the host. Tatler suggests declaring ‘I’m an idiot’ before asking for forgiveness.
Only cancel a shoot in the event of a death
And another of Tatler’s tongue-in-cheek rules was that the only circumstance that allows for cancellation of a shooting weekend is a death in the family (hopefully not caused by a prior weekend of said shooting).
Decline with dignity
A rather more confusing bit of advice is the awkward situation of declining an invite.
While many of us might reach for a reason, Tatler says this is only appropriate in certain social situations.
With a work event, for example, simply say ‘no’. Anything more is undignified.