How do you write “plus one” on a wedding invitation?

Address it to the guest “and Guest” (for example “Ms Hannah Wells and Guest”), or use the partner’s name if you know it. In the invitation you can add “You are very welcome to bring a guest.”

How do you politely say no plus-ones?

Address the invitation to the guest alone and set the RSVP to one seat. If you want to explain, add “We have reserved one seat in your honour” or a short FAQ on your wedding website.

Do you have to give single guests a plus-one?

No. It is common to give plus-ones to guests in long-term relationships, the wedding party and guests who will not know anyone, but there is no obligation.

Should a plus-one be named on the RSVP?

Yes. Ask for their name so you can make place cards, plan seating and pass any dietary requirements to your caterer.

Etiquette·5 min read

Plus-One Wording and Etiquette for Wedding Invitations

Plus-one wording and etiquette: who gets a plus-one, how to word “and guest”, how to say no plus-ones politely, and how to handle the RSVP.

By Aurelia Editorial Team · Wedding stationery & planning guides

Published 6 October 2026

Two blank place cards, two rose buds and interlinked gold rings beside a phone showing a wedding RSVP form

Online, the simplest way to avoid confusion is to control seats in the RSVP itself. With Aurelia’s online RSVP you can allow plus-ones on your shared link or give each personal invitation a set number of seats, so a guest cannot reply for more people than you invited.

Who should get a plus-one?

There is no single rule, but these conventions are widely followed:

Married, engaged and cohabiting couples are invited together, by both names.
Long-term partners are usually invited by name, even if you have not met them.
Members of the wedding party often get a plus-one as a thank you.
Guests who will not know anyone else at the wedding are often given one.
Single guests among a close group of friends usually are not.

Whatever you decide, apply it consistently. Guests compare notes.

Plus-one wording on the invitation and envelope

Named partner

Ms Hannah Wells and Mr Oliver Grant

Unnamed guest

Ms Hannah Wells and Guest

Modern

Hannah + 1

In the invitation

You are very welcome to bring a guest.

If you know a partner’s name, use it. “And guest” is correct, but a name feels warmer and helps with place cards.

Ivory wedding envelope on sage linen addressed to Ms Hannah Wells and Guest, 14 Hartley Road, Clifton, Bristol — The names on the envelope decide who is invited: “and Guest” gives a plus-one.

How to say no plus-ones politely

Address the invitation to the guest alone and let the reply limit do the work. If you want to say it, keep it gracious:

Reserved seats

We have reserved one seat in your honour.

Website FAQ

Can I bring a plus-one? We would love to invite everyone, but our venue is small, so we can only include the guests named on your invitation. Thank you for understanding.

Warm

Due to limited space, we are only able to accommodate the guests named on the invitation.

See this wording on a finished design: The Olive Letter shows the seat line on a sealed-letter invitation.

Plus-one RSVP wording

Ask for the plus-one’s name in the RSVP. You will need it for seating, place cards and dietary requirements.

RSVP line

Please reply by 1 May and let us know the name of your guest.

Shared link: turn plus-ones on and set the most guests one reply can include.
Personal links: give each household its seats (for example two for a couple, one for a single guest).
Ask for each guest’s name and any dietary requirements.

For the full set of reply wording, see wedding RSVP wording.

Two phones showing The Olive Letter template: a personal invitation, and its RSVP form with attendance and number of guests — On a personal invitation, the RSVP only allows the seats you gave that guest.

When a guest asks for a plus-one

Saying no kindly

We’d love to include everyone, but we’ve had to keep numbers tight. We hope you’ll still come. You’ll be sitting with friends!

Saying yes

Of course! Just add their name when you RSVP so we can make a place card for them.

If someone RSVPs with an uninvited guest

Contact them privately and promptly, before seating plans are made.

Private message

Hi Hannah, thank you for your RSVP! We’re so sorry for any confusion, but we’re only able to invite the guests named on the invitation. We hope you understand and can’t wait to see you.

Plus-ones at destination and small weddings

Plus-ones cost more when every seat means travel, rooms and a longer celebration. It is reasonable to limit them to established couples for a wedding abroad or a very small guest list. Say so early, ideally on the save the date or your website, so single guests can plan travel with friends who are also invited.

For more on who to invite, see our wedding invitation etiquette guide, and for children, our adults-only wording.

Plus-one wedding questions

How do you write “plus one” on a wedding invitation?: Address it to the guest “and Guest” (for example “Ms Hannah Wells and Guest”), or use the partner’s name if you know it. In the invitation you can add “You are very welcome to bring a guest.”
How do you politely say no plus-ones?: Address the invitation to the guest alone and set the RSVP to one seat. If you want to explain, add “We have reserved one seat in your honour” or a short FAQ on your wedding website.
Do you have to give single guests a plus-one?: No. It is common to give plus-ones to guests in long-term relationships, the wedding party and guests who will not know anyone, but there is no obligation.
Should a plus-one be named on the RSVP?: Yes. Ask for their name so you can make place cards, plan seating and pass any dietary requirements to your caterer.

Want an RSVP that keeps numbers right? See how Aurelia’s RSVP works.

Part of our etiquette guides. Start with Wedding Invitation Etiquette: The Complete Modern Guide, or see every guide on this topic.