The Look And Feel Of A Formal Wedding Invitation

Proper etiquette for a formal wedding invitation does not allow for inviting guests via email or phone since these methods are relatively new.  This leaves for the old style paper invitations.  Formal wedding invitations usually have the following characteristics:
They are printed on heavyweight ivory, cream or white paper
They use a classic letter style such as Roman
Formal invitations are usually engraved and most likely written in the third person style.
There are usually two envelopes with the invitation.  The first envelope is the outer envelope which holds everything pertaining to the invitation.  The second envelope is used for the reply card only.

Other Helpful Tips

While the look and feel of a formal wedding invitation has etiquette rules all to itself; there are other helpful rules of etiquette for formal wedding invitations which should be considered during the planning stage.
The more formal and ceremonial the wedding, the less creativity is applied.
If your guest is certain to bring a date or companion it is acceptable to write “and guest” on the invitation when you do not know their name.  Usually this limits the amount of unknown guests brought along by others.
Ceremonies held in places of worship require a more formal set up and thereby more formal invitation than a ceremony held in a nature setting or a home.
Most formal wedding invitations are printed by a professional printing service and then the envelope is hand addressed by either the groom or bride.

When creating the formal wedding invitation, etiquette is a must.  This implies the importance of the special occasion to those involved, unlike other wedding invitations such as wedding shower invitations which are far less formal and more festive.

Brief History Of The Reply/Response Card

Did you know that at one time a formal handwritten letter was the proper response etiquette to a wedding invitation?  Yes, and the reply card is relatively new as well as being considered an optional item in wedding invitations.  For convenience and expedience response cards go along with most invitations today.  Handwritten letters are not as common as they once were.

How To Ensure RSVP

So you have prepared the wedding invitations with the response cards.  How do you know you will get answers back?  And how do you know who is sending an RSVP?  To make sure of proper wedding invitation response, etiquette and common sense go together.  Make sure the RSVP makes it into the invitation with a stamp attached.  If the guest forgets to sign the card, put a number on the back so that you can keep track of the guest name.  If you chose not to use cards, simply state that “the favor of a reply is requested by (insert date)” on the announcement or invitation.  Be sure to put contact information with this.

Formal Wedding Invitation Etiquette

The more formal invitation requires a more formal etiquette for a wedding invitation response.  With the formal wedding invitations, you always use two envelopes; one is for the invitation itself and the other is for the reply.  Formal invitations are always responded to using land mail.  Formal wedding invitations also always use proper grammar and full spelling of all names, titles, places, and times.  The address on the envelopes must be handwritten.  You can ask for “hand canceled “ postage so that the look of the envelope is preserved when it arrives at its destination.

While the method of inviting someone to the wedding has changed, as well as the response method, the etiquette of wedding invitation responses has remained constant.  Being passed down from generation to generation has made these guides part of the honored traditions that accompany weddings.  This has also helped to ensure the special effect and importance of the wedding day for most couples in today’s modern society.  With all the care taken into the invitations, it should be noted that it is still proper etiquette to give response to a wedding invitation even if you can not attend.

Why Separate Reception Invitations

The question of why we use separate invitations to both the wedding and the reception has been asked numerous times.  Sometimes it is common sense and sometimes it is etiquette making the wedding reception invitation stand alone.  Many times it helps to avoid the confusion when a person can attend the reception and not the wedding; most often separate reception invitations allow for added information you could not address in the wedding invitation such as attire, time and place.  Etiquette regarding wedding reception invitations has two simple rules
Make sure everyone from the wedding ceremony is invited to the reception
Make sure all the guests have all the information they need to make the day enjoyable.

Proper Response To A Wedding Invitation

Etiquette for a wedding invitation response rests on both the couple being married and on the guest receiving the invitation.  Etiquette for a wedding reception invitation allows for a card or a note, usually with a stamp attached for quick reply to the RSVP.  Most wedding invitations will arrive at the guests address within six to eight weeks.  This should give the guests enough time to plan for the event.  So, what kind of response should a guest send back in regards to the wedding invitation?
If you received a response card, sign the card and indicate if you are coming to the wedding
If you are planning to attend the wedding, get all needed information required well in advance since the days leading up to the wedding will become hectic as the wedding date nears
If you can not attend the wedding you should write a simple note of apology and wish the couple well.  Sending a small gift along with the note is an acceptable gesture.
If you can attend, please let the planners know who and how many are coming in your party.
If you can not attend the wedding, a quick reply is proper etiquette to ensure that there is proper planning time for the wedding party.

As long as proper etiquette for wedding reception invitations are followed by both the guests and the planners, planning for the reception should not be a problem.

Always Send Invitations Far In Advance

When sending out the invitations, be it email, phone, or regular mail, you need to make sure that all of your guests know far enough in advance to plan the time to attend; this is especially true if they are traveling some distance.  Proper etiquette for wedding invitations suggests at least six weeks ahead and eight weeks as being ideal.

Know Your Guest List

The main event might become uncomfortable for some people if slight mistakes in the guest list are overlooked.  It would not be proper etiquette for the wedding invitation to be addressed to Mr. and Mrs. if the couple is of the same sex.  It would also not be adequate to invite divorced couples without warning the individuals that both have been invited. If you are inviting single people it is usual to invite them and ‘guest’.

Make Sure The Wedding Guests Make It Onto The Reception List

If you are having the wedding and reception separately, or on different dates, you will need to have two lists of guests for each event.  Proper etiquette for wedding invitations requires two separate invitations.  Be sure that all the guests you invited to the wedding ceremony are also invited to the reception so that no one feels they were not good enough for the festivities afterwards.  Wedding reception invitation etiquette is simple; start with the ceremony guests first then add everyone else to the reception list.

Make Sure Guests Can RSVP

When sending out the wedding invitations you should make sure that the guests can get back to you with all the convenience possible.  If you use proper etiquette for wedding invitations this should not be a problem.  Enclose an RSVP card with the invitation.  Make sure the RSVP has a stamp to mail with.  If using email, use both an email address and land address for people not comfortable with email.  Give people enough time to respond.

Don’t Mix Formal And Informal Guidelines

If you start out using formal settings for the wedding and reception, it is common sense that you should use formal rules for the wedding invitations.  Proper etiquette requires that more formal events use more formal procedures.  An example would be not to email everyone about a church wedding.  If in doubt, do research to find formal guidelines to help you.

These are just five of many tips for proper etiquette regarding wedding invitations.  If you look around the internet, there are many more available.  Simply knowing what you want and how to address it are the main aspects of deciding whether to go with formal or informal invitations.

Do Not Use Abbreviations

Formal etiquette for wedding invitation addresses follows the old standard postal code when modernization was not the normal way of life.  Here are a few simple tips to help guide you through addressing of wedding invitations:
Do not abbreviate anything.  Use of “street” or “avenue” instead of their abbreviated versions is an old postal regulation that, while no longer required, is still used for formal invitations
Handwrite all addresses onto the invitation envelopes.  This is another idea from the past which survives today to show careful thought and planning as to who is sharing in the wedding.
Clearly write numbers so that they are legible
Place the return address on the back of the outer card.  This is another old postal style that has survived for use with invitations.

Always Confirm The Postal Code And Address

If possible, contact the person you are sending the invitation to so that you may confirm their street address and zip code.  While it is becoming acceptable to send invitations through email or telephone, many people still feel proper etiquette is to address wedding invitations to a land address.Some people do not check, or read their email regularly and using ’snail mail’ you can be more sure of its being received.

Always Include A Return Land Address

This is another simple etiquette for wedding invitation addresses.  If you send out invitations via email, you will want to include a reply address for people who are not comfortable with email or their computer skills. Besides, its easier to keep check of how many replies you have had.

Allow Time For The Mail

Allowing your guests time to plan and respond is a major etiquette for wedding invitations.  Address mailing pieces and get them out at least six weeks before the date of the wedding.  Eight weeks is a more acceptable time frame since guests may be coming from some distance away or may need to request time off well ahead of the day. It is also becoming more the norm to send out ’save the date’ cards some months before the weddin, particularly if you have guests coming from other countries. This would be followed by the more formal invitation.

Following these four simple rules for wedding address invitation etiquette will help ensure that all of the proper etiquette for wedding invitations is followed.  Also, with the use of these four rules of address etiquette, a wedding invitation is sure to reach guests in time thereby allowing for you to properly plan the space and other requirements for a comfortable and enjoyable reception.

Proper Wording Of Wedding Invitations

Wording using wedding invitation etiquette requires knowledge of the relationships and associations of those who you intend to invite.  You would not wish to send an invitation to someone and their partner if the partner is no longer with them.  You would also not use Mr. and Mrs. when addressing a same sex couple.  Also, if you are inviting a person who is single it is proper to let them bring a date as a “guest”.  In an effort to limit the amount of unannounced guests arriving, the words “and family” have lately been replaced, in the etiquette of wedding invitation wording, by “and guest”.

Use Of Formal Spelling and Grammar

Formal use of spelling and grammar is a throwback to the days of more formality where everything was spelled out in exact detail.  Wording etiquette for wedding invitations requires that all places, streets, and numbers be spelled out completely.  This includes “third” instead of 3rd; Street or Avenue instead of the abbreviations; also the times, dates, and year are written out completely without numbers.  When numbers must be used, Roman numerals are the general rule.  Also all names must be spelled out completely as well, and include middle names if known.  This rule also applies to wedding invitation address etiquette.

When In Doubt, Go With The Formal Style

With all of the differences between informal and formal wedding invitations, it is sometimes difficult to decide how to convey the tone of the day.  Etiquette for wedding invitation wording is made easier by following a more formal route.  In this way you can create a more uniform message to your guests as to information and the type of celebration you are having.  This also allows your guests to feel they are more a part of your wedding.  It also tends to give a greater impression of thought in the process.  Just remember, the more formal your wedding, invitation wording follows formal etiquette.  Remember to double check everything before sending out any invitations.

What Is Wedding Invitation Etiquette?

Wedding invitation etiquette is the proper announcing of the wedding.  Invitations are sent to friends, family and other acquaintances who you want to attend.  When conducting a large church affair, invitations go out to names on the lists of visitors from both the bride and groom side of friends and family.  When inviting people associated through business, it should be done out of friendships not for business contacts. For smaller home weddings, the list can be narrowed down to family and close friends.  Consideration must be given to how many people can comfortably fit into the reception area.

General Rules

Wedding invitation etiquette, for either formal or informal gatherings, follows general guidelines.  Such rules are usually followed.
Wedding invitations should convey the mood of the event be it formal, whimsical, low-key or intimate.They may also reflect the place at which the wedding is going to take place i.e. church, beach, at home etc.
Wedding invitations need to communicate the details about the proceedings of the day.
You should be clear in both the language and the meaning when it comes to times, locations, attire, directions or any other items that are involved on the special day.
You need to send your invitations well enough in advance to allow for response and for guests to plan accordingly.
When inviting a guest to the ceremony, it is proper etiquette to also invite them to the reception.

In today’s world wedding invitations can be sent out via a variety of ways.  This depends on the formality of the occasion.  Formal wedding invitations etiquette for example does not allow for anything other than paper invitations sent by regular mail.

Formal and Informal Etiquette

There are two styles of etiquette with wedding invitation creation, formal and informal.  Formal wedding invitation etiquette, the older style, is most often used when planning a large elaborate gathering or a huge church wedding.  Informal wedding invitation etiquette can be for small family weddings where not so much planning is required.

Formal wedding invitations usually have the following rules:
Names are usually written out in full, including middle name
British English is the more common form of usage unless American English is truly preferred.
All words should be spelled out, including the hour, date, time and year.  All street addresses must follow this rule as well.
Rather than 3rd, or “the third”, use III (Roman numerals) instead
Formal invitations have two envelopes, the main envelope and the responding envelope
Religious settings “request the honour of your presence” while non-religious gatherings “request the pleasure of your company”

Informal invitations usually follow these rules:
Hand written, email and telephone invitations are acceptable
Less formal use of tone and words
Simple statements of time, date, place, directions, along with whom is to be married.

Wedding invitation wording etiquette mainly follows either the formal or informal rules depending on which you decide to work with.  With wedding invitation etiquette, wording is very important.  This implies both the tone and the seriousness, or lack of, for the event.

Formal wedding invitations are the most common; informal invitations have given couples more innovation and freedom of expression.  With either, wedding invitation etiquette is a must.