How to Ask About Dietary Restrictions on an Invitation (With Wording)
How to ask guests about dietary restrictions and allergies on a party, wedding or work-event invitation: the wording, what to offer as options, privacy, and how to hand it to the caterer.
The worst time to learn about a nut allergy is when the starter arrives. The best time is when someone replies to your invitation. Here’s how to ask, and what to do with the answers.
Ask in the reply, not later
Put the question in the same reply as yes or no. A separate follow-up gets half the answers.
Wording
- Please let us know about any dietary requirements or allergies when you reply.
- Anything you don’t eat? Tell us when you reply and we’ll make sure there’s something for you.
- Dietary needs or allergies: (optional)
- We’re catering, so please mention any allergies or dietary needs.
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or anything else? Let us know.
Options that help
Offer common choices plus a free-text box:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Nut allergy
- Halal / kosher
- Other (please tell us)
Accessibility, too
For any event at a venue, ask about access the same way: “Is there anything we can arrange to make the event work for you?” Step-free access, seating and dietary needs are all easier to plan in advance.
Privacy
- Make the question optional.
- Ask only what you need; “nut allergy” is enough, not a medical history.
- Share the summary only with whoever needs it: the caterer, the venue.
- For work events, be clear who sees the answers.
Hand the caterer a summary
The caterer needs numbers, not a list: “42 guests: 6 vegetarian, 2 vegan, 1 nut allergy, 1 gluten-free.”
TeamRally Invitations asks dietary and accessibility questions on every invitation, with the guest’s consent, and summarises the answers for you. Free for up to 100 guests.
Frequently asked questions
How do you ask about dietary restrictions on an invitation? In the reply, with a short line and common options.
Is it OK to ask about allergies on an invitation? Yes. Keep it optional and share answers only with who needs them.
When should you ask about dietary needs? On the invitation, in the same reply as yes or no.
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