Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Style and Content

Most individuals recognize that their wedding invitations are the first representation their guests will have of their event. Although there is an understandable level of stress and pressure to choose invitations you will be happy with for the rest of your life, selecting wedding invitations is also a great opportunity to make sure that the formality of the wedding is properly represented. Many weddings today have varying levels of formality, so be sure that you are always following the proper etiquette for wedding invitations. Ensuring that your invitations mirror the style of your event will help your guests understand how to dress for the wedding. Will the wedding be formal, traditional, and very proper, or informal, nontraditional and funky? Your wedding invitation should answer this question.

There are some basic rules that should be followed when you are writing the content of your wedding invitations. In order to make sure that you are following all rules of etiquette and making your wedding invite as proper as possible. When it comes to the introduction of the invitation, be sure that the invitation has the right wording. Most of the time, a proper invitation will start with the names of the parents of the bride, and sometimes, the groom. The proper way to do this is to have the parties that have paid for the wedding, traditionally the bride's family, listed first on the invitation. In some situations, you can also list the groom's parents, if they have contributed to the wedding fund. The wording should be their names, followed by an invitation to the reader to join in the nuptials of their child, or children. Then, you can list other names. Be sure that you list your full names, and do not use any nicknames or abbreviations. Also, middle names are commonly spelled out in wedding invitations.

Next, you will want to provide information about where the wedding takes place. The first thing to do is to list the date and time of the ceremony, followed by the address of the location. In order to follow proper wedding etiquette, make sure that all of the dates and times are written out in words. You may list the numbers of the street address, although to be entirely proper you would want to write these in words as well.

Often, the end of the invitation concludes by having another statement about the reception. Be sure to include information about this on your wedding invitation. The correct wording and explanation of the details of your event should convey the level of formality of your wedding.

There are a few things that you want to remember about remaining proper with the right wedding invitation etiquette. This is very important as it will help you maintain the idea that your wedding is sacred and proper, and you will be happy with the outcome of the wedding invitation.

It is very important to note that it is not proper to list where the couple is registered. Although it might seem like a simple way to get that information across, you want to avoid doing this. Tell your family members where you are registered, and ask that they spread the word. Some individuals feel that it is permissible to include this information in the save the date cards, but as a guideline including this information should be avoided.

Also be sure that you have the full names of the persons that you are inviting, to put on the first envelope. Remember that the first envelope should have the names of the persons who will be attending. Then, that envelope should be placed in a second envelope, so that you can put an address on it.

The wedding invitations should be sent at least 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding. This is very important, especially today, as schedules tend to fill up more quickly than ever before. It is often a good idea to let people know about your wedding date as far in advance as possible, with things like save the date cards, so that you will be able to take time to plan your wedding, and your guests will be able to take time to plan on coming to your wedding.

The way that you word your wedding invitation is important because it is going to help show how formal your wedding will be. Although many things about planning your wedding might be less formal and might end up being casual, it is important for you to adhere to proper wedding invitation etiquette.