Ask the essentials first, then add two optional fun questions. A song request and a game vote are the easiest to start with. Guests answer them in seconds, and you end up with a playlist and a plan for the night. Below are 15 to choose from, grouped by what they help you sort out.
Each question here has a use on the night, and none of them needs to be required. If you’d rather start from a working form, the free Party RSVP template already has the essentials plus a song request and a game vote. Preview it below.
Start with what you need to know
Put the date, time, place and reply-by date in the form’s introduction, so guests see them before the first question. The template has bracketed spaces for each. Then ask:
- Your name. Required.
- Can you come? Required. Three clear options work well: Wouldn’t miss it / Maybe / Can’t make it.
- Guests you’re bringing. Only if plus-ones are welcome. Say whether the number includes the person answering.
- Dietary needs. Only if you’re providing food.
Keep everything after this optional, and put it on a second page. Someone who can’t make it should be able to reply in ten seconds and never see the song request.
In whatayarn, add a Go to card on page one, choose Branch by answer in its menu and point “Can’t make it” at the thank you page. Everyone else carries on to page two. The conditional logic guide walks through it, and it’s included on the Free plan.
Music
1. What song gets you on the dance floor?
This is the most useful fun question on the list. Use a short answer with “Song title and artist” as the hint, and you’ll have a playlist by the time replies close. If guests want to keep adding songs on the night, put them in a Spotify collaborative playlist (opens in a new tab).
2. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Only worth asking if there will be a microphone. Queue the answers ahead of time so the night doesn’t stall while someone searches for a backing track.
3. Which music era should we play the most?
A single choice: 80s / 90s / 00s / 2010s / A bit of everything. Useful when you’re building the playlist yourself and want a rough brief.
4. What should the last song of the night be?
Good for birthdays and reunions. Pick the winner and keep it to yourself until it plays.
Food and drink
5. Which snack should we never run out of?
Offer only things you’d serve anyway: Chips and dip / Mini pizzas / Cheese and crackers / Fruit / Something sweet. The top answer tells you what to buy double of. Keep dietary needs as a separate question.
6. What should we call the party drink?
A short answer for a themed party or a guest of honour. Write the winning name on a card next to the jug.
7. Which dessert gets your vote?
A single choice, listing only desserts you’re happy to make or buy. That’s one less decision before the shop.
8. What will you bring?
For a potluck or barbecue, with “Nothing this time” as a fine answer. The template asks this as a multiple choice (Snacks / Drinks / Dessert / A playlist), which is quicker to count than free text. Check the list a few days out so you don’t end up with four potato salads.
Games and activities
9. Pick our party game
A single choice: Trivia / Charades / Board games / I’ll cheer everyone on. The last option lets people vote without signing up to play. This one is already in the template.
10. What should our trivia team be called?
Collect names in a short answer, then let the team choose on the night.
11. Which photo-booth prop should we have?
Only if you’re setting up a photo corner. List props that are easy to find: Oversized sunglasses / Silly hats / A big picture frame / Handwritten signs.
12. Which mini challenge should we try?
A single choice: Paper-plane contest / Speed drawing / Guess the song / Not for me. Pick activities that fit your space.
Birthdays and reunions
13. What’s a favourite memory with [name]?
A long answer, with a hint that one sentence is plenty. If you’d like to read some aloud in a toast, ask the writer first.
14. What would you put in a time capsule from this year?
A short answer for milestone birthdays, graduations and reunions. Keep the list and read it back at the next one.
15. What should we write on the cake?
A short answer with the hint “Short enough to fit on top.” You still get the final say.
Pick two for your party
Two is usually enough. Add a third only if it helps you plan something specific.
| Occasion | First pickThe question that does the most work | Pair it withOne more for a bit of personality |
|---|---|---|
| 🎂 BirthdayMusic and a cake message | What song gets you on the dance floor?Hint: Song title and artistShort answer | What should we write on the cake?Hint: Short enough to fit on topShort answer |
| 🏡 HousewarmingGuests arriving at a new place | Which snack should we never run out of?Five options you’d serve anywaySingle choice | Pick our party gameInclude a cheer-from-the-couch optionSingle choice |
| 🥗 PotluckEveryone brings a plate | What will you bring?Check for doubles a few days outMultiple choice | Which music era should we play the most?A brief for the playlistSingle choice |
| 🎲 Games nightThe activity is the point | Pick our party gameAlready in the templateSingle choice | What should our trivia team be called?Let the team choose on the nightShort answer |
| 📸 ReunionOld friends, shared history | What would you put in a time capsule from this year?Read the list back at the next oneShort answer | What should the last song of the night be?Keep the winner a surpriseShort answer |
Choose where to collect RSVPs
A form isn’t always the right tool. For a small dinner, a group chat poll is quicker. A form starts to make sense once you want more than yes or no.
| Option | Good forWhen it’s the better choice | Watch out forWhat to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Group chat pollWhatsApp has polls built in | Small gatherings with one groupEveryone sees the answers as they come in.Quickest | One question per pollSong requests and dietary needs get lost in the chat.Hard to keep track |
| Partiful or EviteInvitation apps | A designed invitation with remindersThe invite, guest list and updates live in one place.Invite and RSVP together | How far you can customise questionsSome features, such as ad-free Evite invitations, cost extra.Check the plan |
| Google FormsA general form builder | Replies going straight into a spreadsheetHandy if you already plan in Google Sheets.Sheets workflow | You need a Google account to build itGuests can reply without one unless you restrict the form.Google account |
| whatayarnForms with a party template | Song requests, votes and what people are bringingStart from the Party RSVP template and edit it.Free template | No designed invitationSend the link in your own message. Free forms show a small whatayarn mark.Link only |
Try the free Party RSVP template
The template has seven questions across two pages. Page one asks for a name and whether they can come, and both are required. Page two has extra guests, what they can bring, dietary needs, a song request and a game vote, all optional.
Party RSVP template
Try it here. Nothing is sent or saved.
The preview doesn’t save answers. Choose Use template to make your own copy. You can edit and preview it before you sign up, and you’ll need a free account to publish it. The Free plan includes unlimited forms and responses.
Before you share it, replace the bracketed details in the introduction, add the “Can’t make it” branch above and delete anything that doesn’t apply. If you’re providing all the food, remove “Can you bring something?” If plus-ones aren’t invited, remove that question too.
Then send the link with your invitation:
You’re invited to [name]’s birthday at [place] on [date], from [time]. Please RSVP by [reply-by date]: [form link]. There’s a spot to request a song.
Check the form on your phone, publish it and share the live link. As replies arrive, open Responses to count confirmed guests, copy out the song requests and see which game is winning. Message the maybes a few days before you do the food shop.
Common questions
How many questions should a party RSVP have?
Name, attendance and whatever you need to plan, plus two or three fun ones. The template has seven, and you can cut it down.
Should fun RSVP questions be required?
No. Keep name and attendance required and let people skip the rest.
Can I use these for a wedding?
Yes. Song requests and memories sit well alongside meal choices. The Wedding RSVP template covers the practical details and already includes a song request.
Do guests need an account to reply?
No. They open the link and reply in their browser. You need an account to publish the form and read the replies.
Make the Party RSVP template your own, add your details and send the link.
