You’re Invited! Tips on Invitation Etiquette

There are many FAQ’s throughout the bridal community concerning wedding invitations. Here are a few tips that can help with the confusion!

1. Send-Out Date:

You want your guests to be able to clear their calendars in order to see you shine down the aisle, so be sure and send out those invites eight to ten weeks before the wedding. This allows guests adequate time to respond and ensures that you will get a reliable head count a week or two before the event.

Your RSVP deadline date should be one month from wedding date.  It is a good idea to send out invitations in the middle of the week so that they are received by your guests on the weekend when they have time to take a look and respond as to whether or not they will be able to attend.  

2. Names and Titles:

Your guests’ names should be written in full on outer envelopes- no silly nicknames or initials! Use the appropriate social titles as well, such as addressing married couples as “Mr. and Mrs.”

When a husband and wife have different last names, the wife’s name is usually written first. Connecting the couple’s names by the word “and” implies marriage. For an unmarried couple that lives together, names should be written on separate lines without the word “and.” Children should also be included in the invitation. For formal invitations, address a boy under the age of 13 as “Master,” not “Mr.,” and girls under age 18 as “Miss.” For informal invitations, however, simply write the parents and children’s first names without titles. Since they are young siblings, the word “and” links the children’s names.

3. Addresses:

Spell out all words in an address on the envelopes. Rather than “St.” “P.O. Box,” and “Apt.,” use “Street,” “Post Office Box,” and “Apartment.”  The return address should be placed and written out in full on the envelope’s back flap. This allows guests to get a sneak peak as to what’s inside!

4. Outer and Inner Envelopes:

We all know how mail is simply tossed into mailboxes and often bent and ripped. By sending out an invitation in two envelopes, it ensures that each guest will receive a pristine envelope, event if the outer one has been torn or soiled; however, two are not necessary. The outer envelope includes all of the information the postal service needs for delivery. The inner envelope should have the names of the invited guests in the household (including children, whose names do not appear on the outer envelope). Make sure and check your budget before deciding to do two envelopes; this could get a little pricey.

5. Details, Details, Details!:

If your event won’t include a full meal, it’s courteous to inform your guests. Use phrasing such as “and afterward for cocktails” instead of the classic “at the reception.” If you want to stress the importance of the style of dress—black tie, for instance, or casual attire— place that information in the lower right corner, or on the reception card. The only thing that should not be included anywhere on your invitation— not even as an insert— is your registry information. 

Whether you decide on formal or informal invitations, make sure and have fun creating them! This is a chance to give your guests insight on what to expect for the wedding, so be creative and personalize!