Wedding Invitation Dos and Don’ts

When the time comes to order and send your wedding invitations, the questions that arise are often surprising. From wording etiquette to understanding stationery timelines, your mind will soon be swirling with all sorts of new questions.

We’ve gathered a few of our most helpful tips when it comes to personalizing, addressing and sending your wedding invitations. We hope these words of advice help you when the time comes to invite friends and family to this very special day.

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Top 10 Wedding Invitation Dos

1. Do Be Consistent With Wording

If you’re using formal wedding invitation wording, then be consistent throughout all the pieces of your stationery (invitation, response card, reception card, etc.). Spell everything out, pay attention to punctuation and follow traditional etiquette.

2. Do Pay Attention to Who’s Listed First

For opposite-sex weddings, etiquette states that the bride’s name should appear first in the wedding invitation wording. You can deviate from this rule but sometimes it’s nice to stick with tradition, isn’t it?

For same-sex weddings, the first name listed is up to the two of you.

3. Do Include an RSVP Card

Even if you have an option for guests to RSVP online, providing a paper response card is wise. Not everyone will be able to RSVP online. Plus, it’s so fun to get those little cards mailed back to you. Our Invitations with Free RSVP cards made it easy and affordable.

4. Do Think Carefully About How Your Invitation is Worded

The way you word you wedding invitation is important because you want your guests to arrive to the right place and the right time. But, did you know that the wording you choose can also signal who’s paying for and hosting your wedding day?

Check out different invitation wording examples and decide which is right for the two of you.

5. Do Let Someone Else Address Your Invitations

Whether you use our envelope addressing service when you order wedding invitations or hire a calligrapher for that gorgeous custom look, this will save you lots of time and stress.

6. Do Double-Check Your Addresses

Before you order your invitation, be sure to plug the address of your ceremony and reception venue into the most common GPS apps to make sure your guests will get to your wedding without any issues.

7. Do Be Diligent About Recording Responses

A whole lot hinges on a proper headcount (meals, seating charts, etc.) so make sure you’re organized when those RSVP cards begin to roll in. Creating a Google doc that you, your fiancé and wedding planner all have access to, is a smart way to organize accepts and regrets.

8. Do Understand Printing Processes

Purchasing wedding invitations is most people’s first time ordering personalized stationery of any kind. Doing a little research on printing methods before you begin to browse will arm you with the information you need to make informed decisions.

9. Do Order Extra Envelopes

You will more than likely need more invitations and envelopes than you think. Chances are you will forget to invite a few people and you might make some mistakes while addressing the envelopes. The cost of ordering extra is far less than placing a new order.

10. Do Set Aside an Invitation (or Two!) as a Keepsake

Couples often forget to keep an invitation for themselves. Luckily, a friend or family member is always willing to give one up but setting one aside that’s in pristine condition is best.

Top 10 Wedding Invitation Don'ts

1. Don’t List Registry Information

Never, ever add your registry information to your invitation suite.

Registry information may be shared on your wedding website, which can be listed on an information card. You may also share this information via word of mouth.

2. Don’t Say “No Children”

Writing “No Children” or “Adults-Only Wedding” directly on your invitation is not proper etiquette (though, you can do it if you want to!). But, you can signal to your friends and family that their children are not invited.

First, address the envelopes to include the name of each person invited. This step tells your wedding guests exactly who is invited.

Secondly, you can word your rsvp card in a way that makes it clear that just one or two people in the household are invited. For example: 2 spots have been reserved for you.

3. Don’t Order Before You Have Several People Proofread Your Invites

You wouldn’t believe how often people make spelling mistakes on their invitations. Or, worse yet, omit important details like the time of the ceremony or address or the reception. Be sure to have a few family members or friends proofread your invitation before ordering.

4. Don't Mention Other Wedding Events

Pre- and post-wedding events should not be mentioned on the wedding invitation itself. The rehearsal dinner information can be communicated by word of mouth or you can send rehearsal dinner invitations.

For day-after events such as brunches and gift openings, include a separate information card with your invitation.

5. Don’t Forget to Weigh a Sealed Invitation

Sometimes, a full wedding invitation suite can require more than one stamp. Bring one complete suite to the post office to make sure you apply accurate postage.

6. Don’t Set the RSVP Date Too Close to Your Wedding Date

You will want 2-4 weeks between the RSVP date and wedding date to contact late responders, give vendors a final guest count and create a seating chart (if needed).

7. Don’t Forget to Stamp the Response Cards

Stamping the response cards is a simple courtesy to your guests. It makes responding easier, which means you’ll receive more responses in a timely fashion.

8. Don’t Forget to Include Meal Choices

Sometimes couples forget to include meal choices on their response cards. The caterer needs this information if you’re having a plated meal at your reception. If you’re offering a buffet meal, this wording is not necessary.

9. Don’t be Vague About Who is Invited

Make sure to address your envelopes to exactly who is invited. For instance:

Ms. Emily Franklin & Guest

193 East Forest Avenue

Moira, Minnesota

53203

or

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Delton and family

6345 Harrison Street

Kamp, Texas

63023

10. Don’t Send Too Late – or Too Early!

Wedding invitations should be sent about 6-8 weeks before your wedding date. But, there circumstances that can affect exactly when to send. Learn the rules and to make sure you’re not sending too early or too late.
 

We hope you’ve found these tips helpful! If you have any additional questions about wedding stationery etiquette, our experts are here to help.