Etiquette Guide: Invitations
Knowing how to word your wedding stationery can be a minefield and the cause of many headaches. Traditionally the invitations were sent by the brides parents because they were the ones ‘hosting’ the event, today however it is normal for clients to pay for their own wedding or go halves with their parents. The wording used depends on the formality of the wedding/couple but also who is the host.
In this post we discuss how you should word your stationery, we will post on design and print process another day as that is a whole new subject.
Stationery from Chartula Studios
Top Tips
Abbreviations should only be used for titles, dates & times e.g. ‘Dr, Mr’,’30th’, ‘pm’.
The Bride’s name should always be before the Groom’s.
Be consistent with dates & times whether using numerals or words. e.g. ‘third April, two thousand and nine at one o’clock’ or ‘3rd April 2009 at 1.00pm’.
If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, the venue needs only to be written once.
Any special instructions like finish time or dress code would be written after the reception details but before the ‘RSVP’
If a bride is hosting the wedding then she uses her full title but if the wedding is hosted by someone else then she is referred to via first name only.
Invitations should be sent out 8 weeks before, however many couples choose to send 10-12 weeks before for summer weddings.
Save the dates should be sent anytime from 12 months to 6 months before a wedding, any closer then it is more cost effective to just send the invitations early.
Enclose a RSVP card to ensure speedy replies
The more popular invitation wording is covered below courtesy of Chartula Studios
Bride’s Parents Hosting
Mr and Mrs (Bride’s Parents Name)
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s Name)
to
Mr (Groom’s Name)
at (Ceremony Details)
on (Day, Date, Month, Year)
at (Time)
and afterwards at
(Reception Details)
Bride and Groom’s Parents Hosting
Mr and Mrs (Bride’s Parents Name)
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s Name)
to
Mr (Groom’s Name)
son of
Mr and Mrs (Groom’s Parents Name)
at (Ceremony Details)
on (Day, Date, Month, Year)
at (Time)
and afterwards at
(Reception Details)
Bride and Groom and Families Hosting
Together with their families
(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
at (Ceremony Details)
on (Day, Date, Month, Year)
at (Time)
and afterwards at
(Reception Details)
Bride and Groom Hosting
(Bride’s Name)
and
(Groom’s Name)
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
at (Ceremony Details)
on (Day, Date, Month, Year)
at (Time)
and afterwards at
(Reception Details)
Groom’s Parents Hosting
Mr and Mrs (Groom’s Parents Name)
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
(Bride’s Name)
to their son
(Groom’s Name)
at (Ceremony Details)
on (Day, Date, Month, Year)
at (Time)
and afterwards at
(Reception Details)
Divorced Bride’s Parents Hosting
(Bride’s Mother’s Name)
(Bride’s Father’s Name)
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
(Bride’s Name)
to
Mr (Groom’s Name)
at (Ceremony Details)
on (Day, Date, Month, Year)
at (Time)
and afterwards at
(Reception Details)
Stationery from Chartula Studios
Envelopes
If you have worded your stationery formally then you need to follow this through with the envelopes. See below for an example.
Envelope formal
Mr & Mrs Paul Smith + children
Envelope informal
Paul & Karen Smith + children
Invitation Terminology
Save the Dates – normally a small single sided card sent announcing your wedding date. It would have your name, date of wedding and ‘formal invitation to follow’.
RSVP – to encourage speedy acceptances many couples include a pre addressed RSVP card in the invitation. Many couples also ask for dietary requirements, favourite songs, transport requirements to be noted on the reply.
Info card – a small card or printed paper included with the invitations. It would include directions, map, hotels, taxis and any other information useful for the guests to know.
In the next etiquette guide in May we will cover the ceremony.