How should someone reply to a wedding invitation?

In many cases, wedding invitations include RSVP cards with addressed envelopes that should be sent back as soon as possible; when those cards are not included, written responses can be emailed or handwritten and mailed to the return address on the invitation envelopes. The formality of the response can be tailored to fit how well the invitee knows the individuals getting married.

Those people who need to decline an invitation to a wedding of a close friend or family member may want to write a longer explanation of their absence or explain the decision in person. If the invitee doesn't know the engaged couple well, the decline can be simple and short.