Q. When should we send out our wedding invitations? A. Traditionally, invitations go out six to eight weeks before the wedding -- that gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if they don't live in town. If it's a destination wedding, give guests more time and send them out three months ahead of time. Most couples also send out save-the-date cards. They go out at six to eight months.
Q. When should we make the deadline for RSVPs?
A. Make your RSVP date two to three weeks before your wedding date -- this will allow enough time for you to get a final head count to the caterer (one week before) and to finalize your seating chart. If some guests still haven't responded by your deadline, give them a quick call and ask for their RSVPs (still via mail) so you have all their information.
Q. Where do we include information about our wedding website? A. Your wedding website should be included on your save-the-date. If you'd like (or if you don't have save-the-dates), you can include the web address in the formal invitations with an insert -- a small card that informs guests they can find more details online.
Free Wedding Website
Q. I'm thinking about using labels to address my wedding invitations. I've heard several people say this is tacky. I know handwriting them is more formal, but I just think labels will be less time-consuming. What do you think?
A. You're absolutely right that labels would be less time-consuming, but the reason most invites are addressed by hand isn't just that it's more formal -- it's also more personal. It shows your guests that you so want them to be at your wedding that you took the time to handwrite (or have a calligrapher hand-letter) their name and address on the envelope. It's true that it can be a hassle to address so many envelopes yourself. Think about getting your wedding party to help you out (make it a party!) and it'll go much faster. If you're really set on labels -- especially if you have a huge number of invites (200 or more) -- at least go with a computer font that looks like script, and use clear labels so your invitations will have some semblance of being hand-addressed.
Q. Can we include our registry info on our invitations or save-the-dates?
A. In a word, no. Including registry info on the wedding invitations or save-the-dates is still considered impolite because it can come off as though you're asking for gifts. Tell your wedding party, parents and close friends where you are registered, and let them fill guests in. Plus, most guests will know that all that extra information (that they didn't find on the invitation) is on your wedding website.
Q. We're having an adults-only wedding (no kids). How can we make sure this is clear to our guests?
A. Address your invitations correctly -- to each guest by name, not “and guest” -- and guests should understand that the invite is meant for only those mentioned. If you find that some reply with their children's names added, give them a call and explain that you're having an adults-only wedding and that you hope they can still attend. If there are a lot of kids in your family, you may want to consider hiring or arranging for a babysitter. It's definitely not required, but it's a nice gesture. Just be sure to include this information on the wedding website.
Q. How do we let guests know our dress code? A. The easiest way to get your point across is to include a dress code in the lower right-hand corner of the invite or on a reception card; “black-tie,” “cocktail attire” or “casual attire” are all acceptable. Your invitation design will also clue guests in. An ultra-formal, traditional invite with letterpress and calligraphy will give guests a hint to the formal nature of the event, whereas a square invite with a playful font and bright colors would fit a much more casual style. Another way is to direct guests to your wedding website, where you can go into more detail about the weekend events and dress code in a more informal forum.
Q. Do we have to invite every guest with a date or a “plus-one”?
A. No, you don't have to. If a guest isn't married or in a serious relationship, it's perfectly acceptable to invite them solo. Most guests will understand that without “and Guest” or another name on the invitation means they aren't invited with a plus-one. While it's always nice to invite everyone with a guest, if you're having a small wedding, your family and friends should understand your reasoning. What to do if a guest RSVPs for two? Call them up and explain that you're having an intimate wedding and, unfortunately, you were not able to invite everyone with a guest. But if you realize that nearly everyone will be coupled up, extend a plus-one invitation to your few single friends and family.
Q. Where do you put the return address on wedding invitations? A. The return address usually goes on the back flap of the envelope. Also, the return address used should be that of the person(s) whom you've designated to receive response cards -- be it your parents or you (traditionally, whoever is hosting the wedding handles response cards). Don't forget that the RSVP envelope should also be printed with this address (and should include postage).
Q. If our wedding reception is for immediate family only, is it okay to invite people to the ceremony only?
A. In a word, no. Everyone who attends the ceremony (or bridal shower, engagement party or wedding reception) should be invited to the wedding -- that means the ceremony and the reception. In your case, by inviting guests to one and not the other, you're basically saying you want them there for the actual ceremony but you either don't want to pay for their plate at your party or don't care enough to have them there to actually celebrate your newly-married status.
Q. I invited my friend and her boyfriend (by name on the invite) to the wedding, but they recently broke up. Now she wants to bring a friend I don't like -- can I tell her no?
A. Because you worded the invitation correctly by having her boyfriend's name on the envelope (rather than “and guest”), you have every right to say no. As a rule, invitations are nontransferable when people are invited by name. Try explaining that you're not friendly with her proposed guest and you'd prefer that the wedding be limited to very good friends and family. If you invited all of your single friends sans dates, let her know she won't be the only one coming solo (in case that's her worry).
Addressing Wedding Invitations
Check these points before dropping your envelopes in the mail!
- Double check the names on your guest list before the envelopes are addressed, to be sure they are spelled correctly.
- Invitations are always addressed to both members of a married couple.
- An invitation to an unmarried couple residing at the same address should be addressed with both names on a single line.
- No abbreviations or initials are used when addressing formal invitations.
- If children are invited but are not receiving a separate invitation, their names may be written on a line below their parents’ names on the inner envelope. If no inner envelope is used, children’s names are written on the outer envelope below the names of their parents.
- Allow plenty of time to carefully address, assemble and mail all invitations.
- Organize the master guest list in useful form, such as on file cards, in a computer database, or on a worksheet.
- Before buying stamps, have a completely assembled invitation (or two if variations: one for local guests, another for out-of-town guests that may include additional enclosures) weighed at the post office to determine correct postage.
- If response cards are used, lightly mark the back of each card with an identifying number in case guests neglect to write in their names when RSVPing.
Invitation Wording
The invitation wording reflects who is hosting the wedding -- traditionally the bride's parents. But, weddings are ever changing. Many weddings are now hosted by both sets of parents, or a combination of the parents and bride & groom.
This website has an excellent resource for all types of situations: http://www.invitationconsultants.com/sw-wedding.aspx
