Writing your wedding invitations can be stressful!! Does it have to be formal?… Are there rules to follow?… How do you use titles? … What’s included? A million different questions with a million different answers. This can have many a bride pulling her hair out… Here is a simple and easy way to break down your wedding invitations!
When it comes down to it.. in this modern world of marriage it’s really up to you! What do you want your wedding to feel like! Your wedding invitations are the first introduction to your guests on what they can expect from your wedding celebration!!
First Rule (or not)… The Design!!
Guess what, it can be anything you’d like it to be… have fun with it! I suggest matching the feel of your wedding and use your colors, location, or any theme you might have to start. Once you have that figured out the rest is easy! Follow these simple guidelines on what to include and you’ll be good to go!
The 8 Things on Wedding Invitations:
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Who’s Hosting?
- This can be the trickiest part of the invitation. Here is where it might be smart to talk it over with whoever is footing the bill (as to not have any misunderstandings occur once everything is off to the printer). Communication is key… ask how your parents would like to be referred to. Often times it is polite and kind to include both sets of parents. If it’s a collaboration with the bride and groom (which is more and more common these days)… you can use words like “together with their parents…” Traditionally this is found at the top of the invitation.
- Here is a great link with examples of how to word your wedding invitation
- This can be the trickiest part of the invitation. Here is where it might be smart to talk it over with whoever is footing the bill (as to not have any misunderstandings occur once everything is off to the printer). Communication is key… ask how your parents would like to be referred to. Often times it is polite and kind to include both sets of parents. If it’s a collaboration with the bride and groom (which is more and more common these days)… you can use words like “together with their parents…” Traditionally this is found at the top of the invitation.
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The Request… Please come!
- This is where you actually ask your guests to come to your wedding. There are a bunch of different ways to ask this… here are a few
“Come eat the cake”
“the pleasure of your company”
“at the marriage of their children”
“would love for you to join them”
“invite you to celebrate with them”
“honour of your presence”
(little-known fact: the British spelling of HONOUR implies that the wedding will be taking place in a church or place of worship)
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The Couples Name:
- Obviously, this part of your wedding invitations usually isn’t forgotten, but often times people wonder who goes first. Traditionally the Bride’s name is first but in the case of same-sex marriage, it can be alphabetical or how ever it sounds best. Really this is where rules can be thrown out the window.. do what you want. When it comes to titles again, it’s a matter of choice and how formal you want your invitation to sound.
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The Date and Time:
- Here is another place where you can use your invitation as a key to your guests as what they can expect from your wedding. Formal weddings include the date and time written out in full (no numerals). Time of day is spelled out using “o’clock” or “half after four o’clock.” The use of a.m. or p.m. is optional. Casual weddings can use numerals.
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The Location:
- When you are listing a well known or easy to find venue the street address is not needed. If leaving it off would lead to confusion or your wedding is taking place at the host’s home then you should include the full address. The city and state should be written out in full in either case. (but again if you are going for something less formal… don’t bother with writing out the state)
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Reception Information (where & when):
- Formal wedding invitations include this information on a separate reception card. Otherwise, it can be printed on the actual invitation itself if there is room. If the ceremony and reception are held in the same location, you may write something like; “reception immediately following.” When the reception is elsewhere, the location goes on a different line. Include the time of the wedding reception if it is not immediately following the ceremony. (use the same rules as above for the date and time and location)
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Dress Code:
- You may not think it necessary to write a dress code, but in this day and age with all sorts of weddings out there, it is a good idea to give your guests as much information as possible… you don’t want your Aunt Betty showing up in a floor-length gown when you are having a beach wedding. Formal wedding invitation etiquette dictates that the dress code should be located in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation (but really as long as its included go with design aesthetic first)
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Separate RSVP Card:
- Most brides and grooms include a separate rsvp card for guests to fill out and return in the mail (along with a self-address stamped envelope). You also have the option of having people RSVP via your wedding website. Guests are used to getting an RSVP card with their wedding invitation so include the website address on a separate card, then indicate that guests can go to the website in order to let you know if they will be attending.
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