Your sister is allergic to shellfish, your brother-in-law is coeliac, your mother's best friend is lactose intolerant, and three cousins cannot eat nuts. When you organise a wedding, food allergies will come up. Asking about them properly on the RSVP is the difference between an adapted menu and a trip to A&E.
This guide covers how to ask about allergies on your RSVP form with allergy field, how to organise the information for the caterer, and how to communicate it to guests.
What to ask on the RSVP
A free-text field with examples solves this: "Tell us about any allergies or intolerances (e.g. gluten, dairy, nuts, shellfish, eggs). We will adapt your meal accordingly." Place the field right after the meal choice. With an online RSVP system, each guest's allergies are stored alongside their meal choice and name.
Organising allergies for the caterer
The caterer needs three things: guest name, allergy or intolerance, and chosen meal. Create a simple table. If you use a guest list manager, this table generates automatically.
Deliver the list at least a week before the wedding. Last-minute changes are the main source of catering errors.
How to word it for guests
"To make sure everyone enjoys the meal, please let us know about any allergies or intolerances when you RSVP. We will only use this to coordinate with the caterer."
If your wedding has guests speaking different languages, make sure the field works in both. A language switcher on the RSVP page solves this.
Frequently asked questions
Which food allergies should I ask about on the RSVP form?
The 14 recognised allergens under EU law: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, gluten, crustaceans, fish, soy, lupin, molluscs, mustard, sesame, celery and sulphites. A free-text field like "Allergies or intolerances" with a couple of examples catches most cases. In practice, gluten and dairy are the most commonly declared in weddings.
Is it legally required to ask about allergies on the RSVP?
There is no specific law requiring you to ask, but there is liability if you serve food without asking and a guest has a reaction. Food information regulations (EU 1169/2011) apply to catering services. Asking is the only sensible way to comply.
How do I communicate guest allergies to the caterer?
Ask the caterer for their preferred format. Some want a printed list with guest names, meal choice and allergies; others prefer colour-coded wristbands or marked place cards. Deliver it at least a week in advance and update it if anyone changes their RSVP.
Should I ask about allergies even with a fixed menu?
Yes. A fixed menu does not mean every dish is safe for everyone. An allergy is not a meal preference — it is a medical condition the caterer must know regardless of what is being served.
How do I word the allergy question on the RSVP?
Keep it reassuring: "Let us know about any allergies or intolerances so we can adapt the menu. This will only be shared with the caterer." Place the field right after the meal choice.
What if a guest does not fill in the allergy field?
Nothing. Not all guests have allergies, and skipping the field is valid. If someone has a serious allergy, they will likely have told you before receiving the invitation.