Always RSVP (which is repondez s’il vous plait in French,“reply,if you please”) to an invitation,regardless of whether you will be attending or not.Holding a successful party needs a good deal of planning; knowing the total number of people who will be attending is crucial to proper party planning.RSVP as early as possible and definitely before the due date on the invitation.Delaying your response will make the host feel as if you are waiting for a better opportunity.It is rude to RSVP after the due date on an invitation.
If you RSVP that you will be attending the party and later find out that you can not make it,make sure to tell the host promptly.It’s better to let the host know later than never,that you can not attend the party.
Do not bring guests that are not invited to the party.Only bring additional guests if you have the permission of the host.If you are invited to a wedding and the invitation states “you and a guest”,assume that no other people,including your children,are invited.Unless the invitation officially stated their names,do not RSVP for other people in your party.It’s improper to bring your closest friends to the party without the permission of the host.
Don’t appear late at a party.Although people often don’t like to be the first one at a party,you should try to arrive at the time indicated on the invitation.This is a “must” for more formal events like showers,weddings,anniversary parties,etc.Arrival time is a little more lax with more casual gatherings.However,imagine how it feels to invite guests to a party that should start at 7:00 p.m. and no one shows up until 8:00.That is too depressing.
Don’t get offended if the host can not spend a great deal of time with you.Your host has a home full of guests; don’t try to monopolize their time.
Wait for your host to offer a tour of your host’s home.Don’t ask directly.
If you are invited to a wedding party and you can not attend,you should still send a gift.A wedding gift should be given as close to the actual date of the wedding as possible.Don’t send your gift too late.Remember it is given to celebrate the wedding,not the first anniversary.Not giving a wedding gift is utterly unacceptable.